(3 minutes read)
· European Union (EU), as of January 1, 2021, will stop shipment of all non-recyclable plastic waste to developing countries including Africa
· Under the new rules of the EU, which has come into effect in the New Year, only ‘clean plastic waste’ – things that can be recycled – can be exported to non- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries
European Union (EU), as of January 1, 2021, will stop shipment of all non-recyclable plastic waste to developing countries including Africa. Under the new rules of the EU, which has come into effect in the New Year, only ‘clean plastic waste’ – things that can be recycled – can be exported to non- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
The EU is of the view that the new rules can send a clear message that the economic bloc (EU) is taking responsibility for the waste it generates. The step which has been taken after consultations and strong advice from environmentalists is construed as an important milestone in fighting plastic pollution, which is a part of the European Green Deal.
It may be noted that Europeans generate 25 million tonnes of plastic waste each year and only less than a third of that gets recycled. Polluting potentials of the plastic bottles are well documented. A study shows that 85% of the litter around beaches world –over is due to non-recyclable plastics.
T he European Union’s Green Plan includes a 0.8 Euros per kilogram levy on non-recycled plastic packaging waste to be paid by member states into the EU budget. In 2018 China banned import of non-recyclable plastics. The E.U. exported 1.5 million tons of plastic waste this year. African does not figure prominently in the importing destinations. Data indicates that exports were mostly to Turkey and Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia.
