In recent years, the issue of plastic waste exports has gained increasing attention, creating the demand for a re-evaluation of policies surrounding the export of plastic waste to non-Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (non-OECD) countries. Plastic recycling charity RECOUP has presented compelling arguments against a sudden ban on such exports, highlighting the need for a strategic and well-planned approach to address the challenges in the recycling industry.
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Increase in Plastic Waste Exports of England
In 2023, UK saw a significant increase in the export of plastic waste for recycling, exceeding 600,000 tones, with a growth rate of more than 10 % per year. RECOUP’s data indicates that over 25 % of UK’s plastic waste was sent to Turkey, which was an additional 25,000 tonnes than in 2022, followed by Germany at approximately 10 %. In addition, the proportion of plastic waste exported to Asian countries doubled from 9 % in 2022 to 20 % in 2023. Malaysia and Vietnam, two non-OECD countries, while experiencing a decline in the amount of UK waste they received in recent years, each nation received approximately 8 %, with Indonesia taking an additional 3.4 % and Taiwan 2.5 %.
Challenges and Considerations in Plastic Waste Export Bans
According to RECOUP’s Plastic Waste Exports Position report, a sudden ban on exporting plastic waste to non-OECD countries could have detrimental consequences, potentially leading to an increase in landfilling, incineration, or the redirection of waste to other markets. The report emphasizes the resilience and flexibility of the recycling market, showcasing its ability to adapt to challenges such as low recycled plastic demand across Europe.
The charity advocates for a consultation on a plastic export ban to non-OECD countries but also emphasizes the need for a thorough assessment to avoid unintended consequences. RECOUP continues by mentioning that a ban may lead to countries acting as “transfer stations,” merely redirecting the material to other markets, or exacerbating environmental issues in developing countries through unregulated and illegal means.
Additionally, while the numbers reveal an apparent reliance on non-OECD countries for processing plastic waste, RECOUP also voices concerns on the lack of sufficient time and planning to develop domestic infrastructure, arguing that an outright ban is not the appropriate solution. The organization calls for a more comprehensive approach that includes careful consideration of each country’s recycling infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, as well as the implementation of digital waste tracking to ensure transparency in export volumes and end-destinations.
European Commission’s Plans and UK Government’s Policy Shifts
The European Commission already has plans to prohibit the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries by 2026, and the UK government, in its 2019 Conservative Party manifesto, initially considered a ban on waste exports to developing countries but later pulled back the proposal. Despite calls to ban all plastic waste exports by 2027, the government has not yet implemented such a ban, and a promised consultation on banning material to non-OECD countries has yet to be published.
RECOUP stresses the importance of gradually implementing policy changes to avoid unintended consequences and to give the industry enough time to adapt. The non-profit organization also calls for changes in the Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) system, arguing that it currently financially incentivizes waste exports over domestic processing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there is a growing need to reduce reliance on non-OECD countries for processing plastic waste, an outright ban without careful planning may have adverse effects on the environment and the recycling industry. The emphasis should be on developing robust domestic recycling infrastructure, implementing digital waste tracking, and conducting thorough assessments of destination countries’ capabilities to ensure a sustainable and ethical approach to plastic waste management.
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