The three types of industries that have been dominating the manufacturing sector are the electronics and electrical sector, the textiles and apparels, and the food and beverages. Most of the factories under the electronic and electrical sector are producing semiconductors, computers and peripherals while the fabricated metals sector manufactures jigs and fixtures, stamped metal parts, injection steel moulds wire hardeners, bolts nuts and screws.

Malaysia is a major exporter of passive components with a total export value at RM2.7 billion (US$710 million) in 1999.

More than 170 companies are involved in the manufacture of a wide range of product that includes capacitors, resistors, inductors, coil transformers magnets, quartz crystals and oscillators. Capacitors and resistors alone have export values amounting to RM1.5 billion (US$395 million) and RM600million (US$158 million) respectively.

Along with the rapid industrial development is the generation of a large quantity of hazardous and non - hazardous waste, which needs to be properly treated and disposed. Among the steps taken to curb this problem is the enactment of laws to protect the environment and human health from being exposed to toxic chemicals. Generally industrial waste is referred to as scheduled wastes.

Legislation pertaining to scheduled wastes comes under the purview of the Department of Environment (DOE). Under the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) regulation 1989, 107 categories of hazardous waste are defined, as "scheduled wastes" of which is PCBs.

Scheduled wastes as defined in the First Schedule to the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulations 1989 is basically hazardous waste generated principally from industry. The generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of scheduled waste are governed by three sets of legislations, which are:

• The Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulation 1989.
  
• The Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises) (Scheduled Waste Treatment
  and Disposal Facilities) Regulation 1989.
  
• The Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises) (Scheduled Waste Treatment
  and Disposal Facilities ) Order 1989.

These regulations require acceptable method of storage transportation and disposal, the facilities of which must be licensed by the Department of Environment. (DOE)

Under the prescribed legislation, hazardous wastes are classified as scheduled wastes. However there is no precise definition for scheduled waste as it can be classified into three large groups

• By- products generated in the production processes
  
• Sludge resulting from waste- water treatment
  
• Toxic items whose expiry date has passed.

Even though the regulations cover scheduled waste, current definitions do not cover hazardous domestic waste such as batteries, fluorescent lamps, paints and chemicals (pesticides). Hazardous waste may be mixed with non - hazardous municipal waste.

Between 1995-1999, an average of 431,000 tons of scheduled wastes was generated per annum, these were mainly from the metal finishing, electronics, textile, chemical and chemical-related industries, agricultural and domestic activities and clinical waste from hospitals.

Companies are required to inform the authorities about hazardous waste and whether there is a need for associated collection, storage and processing.
In spite of the existing legislation on scheduled waste the private sector is reluctant to invest in systems that meet DOE discharge standards. This has resulted in many prosecutions but even so a large number of companies- particularly the small and medium enterprises still continue to flaunt the law. The DOE has no means of verifying the amount of waste produced by an organization and in most cases how the waste is being disposed. There is no legislation for "complete reporting."

In the case of toxic waste, a joint venture integrated treatment system (Kualiti Alam Sdn .Bhd) was commissioned in 1997. It uses Danish technology to treat and dispose 107 types of scheduled waste (which includes PCBs) listed in the Environmental Quality Act. However, only a small proportion of the 800,000 tons of toxic industrial waste generated annually by local industry is treated in this facility.

In practice it is revealed that only 22% of the 3000 factories generating toxic wastes are registered with Kualiti Alam (the company responsible for disposal of toxic waste in Malaysia.)

Many industries not only lack the technical expertise in the management of such kinds of wastes but also suffer from shortage of space. In some cases the storage practice is improper and unsatisfactory leading to probable risks of spillage, leakage, fire and explosion. There were also instances in which the scheduled wastes were illegally dumped at some residential and environmentally sensitive areas.

Contaminated land has not been a major problem in Malaysia due to its relatively short history in industrialization and the availability of green sites for new industries. There has been very little redevelopment of old industrial properties.

Scheduled waste kept at the premises of factories

Hazardous waste materials left lying around the factory

The DOE plans to monitor land and groundwater contamination as news of illegal dumping of hazardous waste are being reported in the media on. In order to curb the problem of illegal dumping and educate the public on the dangers of hazardous waste the Department of Environment has come out with a campaign to 'STOP ILLEGAL DUMPING OF HAZARDOUS WASTE.'

Be suspicious of any dumping of drums, hdpe/plastic containers or sacks containing foul-odoured, coloured or reactive liquid or sludge.

Ensure that your neighbourhood or surrounding is not a dumping ground for hazardous waste.