EU Imposed Ban on Plastic Waste Exports to Developing Countries

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The European Commission (EC) ratified a new agreement that restricts the shipments of plastic waste from countries in the region to non-OECD countries. The new rules were earlier approved by the European Parliament and Council.

The rule aims to tackle rising volumes of plastic waste, bottlenecks in managing them internally and environmental issues caused by their export to third countries. The export curbs will also contribute towards a circular economy.

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The policy proposes to impose strict rules for individual countries to import plastic from EU countries five years after the enforcement. Otherwise, these countries would be completely prohibited from receiving waste after 2.5 years from the date of enactment of the rule. For EU to export other waste, the receiving countries must inform the Commission about their willingness to receive and sustainable manage them.

All the waste exports to OECD countries would be monitored by the Commission. The EC will intervene if the exports affect the receiving country in any ways. The receiving facilities outside of the EU must need to ensure that they undergo an independent audit to testify that the waste could be managed in a responsible manner.

The circulation of waste for reuse and recycling within the EU member states will ensure supply of raw materials and promote transition to a circular economy.