Indonesia imports plastic waste from western countries as feed stock for recycling plants even though it is second only to China when it comes to dumping plastic waste in the world's oceans. Plastic waste can be exported to Indonesia for recycling under Trade Ministry regulation 31 from 2016 as long as it is not "B3" waste. Plastic recycling is big business in Batam and it has grown rapidly since China turned the global recycling market upside down in January 2018 by effectively banning the importation of plastic waste. Other countries in south-east Asia, including in Thailand and Malaysia, have also cracked down on the importation of plastic waste and are preparing to ship back toxic plastic waste. In March, plastic waste recycling company PT San Hai was shut down by Batam's mayor for operating without a permit.

Source: Stuff July 03, 2019 00:13 UTC