Lower quality: According to a World Bank report, plastic scrap that originates in Malaysia has higher amounts of contamination such as dirt and waste. PETALING JAYA: An estimated 70% of plastic recycled in the country are imported scrap, says a World Bank report on plastic recycling in Malaysia. “Plastic recyclers rely on such imports because imported material is often cheaper, ” said the World Bank in the recently released report titled “Malaysia: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Barriers”. For example, local HDPE (high density polyethylene) material is 17% costlier compared to imported material while local PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material costs 20% more. The report also said local material is of poorer quality due to a lack of “design-for-recycling” and it has higher amounts of contamination such as dirt and waste.