NEA aware that construction waste allegedly from Singapore disposed of in Pontian

Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) is actively investigating allegations that construction and demolition waste originating from the city-state has been illegally dumped in Pontian, Johor, Malaysia. News reports in Malaysia first surfaced these claims, prompting the NEA to reach out to Malaysian authorities to establish the facts.

Under Singapore's stringent regulatory framework, the export of hazardous construction and demolition (C&D) waste for disposal is strictly prohibited. However, the NEA clarified that homogeneous material streams recovered from C&D waste, such as scrap metal and hardcore materials like concrete, tiles, and bricks, are permitted for export under the Basel Convention. This international treaty governs the transboundary movement of hazardous and other wastes, obliging parties to ensure environmentally sound management and disposal.

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Under Singapore’s regulatory framework, the export of construction and demolition (C&D) waste that is hazardous for disposal is not permitted.

Malaysian officials have responded to the reports by shutting down more than five sites in Pontian believed to be involved in illegal dumping operations. The Johor state government has also established a dedicated task force and launched investigations into three specific sites allegedly used for the illicit disposal of construction waste, including for land reclamation work. Residents in some Pontian villages have reported convoys of trucks operating late at night, dumping construction scrap on narrow roads, which local officials suspect originates from Singapore.

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However, homogeneous material streams recovered from C&D waste – such as ferrous scrap and hardcore concrete, tiles, and bricks – are permitted for export under the Basel Convention.