In an open letter to the UK Secretary of State for the Environment, 81 environmental organizations are calling for a total export ban on plastic waste from the United Kingdom.
The letter was initiated by the Environmental Investigation Agency and Greenpeace UK. The Plastic Soup Foundation is one of the signatories.
Rising Export to The Netherlands
In 2019, the UK announced a ban on the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries. Since then, there has been a shift in exports to OECD countries, which has significantly increased. The largest amount of plastic waste is exported to the Netherlands, with an increase of over 60 percent between 2020 and 2021. NGOs fear that a large portion of this plastic waste is still being exported to non-OECD countries, such as Indonesia and Vietnam, via Dutch intermediaries.
The Netherlands imports around 9 million kilograms of plastic waste from the UK each month. A portion is burned in our incinerators, while some is re-exported. In 2021, the Netherlands was the EU’s largest exporter of plastic waste to non-OECD countries. This export occurs without oversight from the UK government.
Flood of evidence
The letter highlights a flood of evidence since 2019 regarding the damage caused by the export of plastic waste. This applies not only to exports to non-OECD countries but also within OECD countries, particularly from the UK to the European Union. For example, plastic packaging collected for recycling in the UK has been found in landfills in Turkey. This issue affects not only the environment but also human health. Sites where this waste was dumped have been heavily contaminated with toxic chemicals derived from plastic.
Organized crime
One of the major problems in the trade of plastic waste is the difficulty in tracking where the plastic ultimately ends up. Where oversight is lacking, criminals see an opportunity. Interpol investigated two cases where household waste from the UK was exported under the guise of recycling. In one case, this plastic was burned in Poland, involving a total of 30 to 40 illegal incinerations.
Research by Plastic Soup Foundation
Research by the Plastic Soup Foundation last year showed that the Netherlands plays a significant role in the shadowy trade of plastic waste. The letter references this research: *A Neocolonial Plastics Scandal. The Netherlands Plays a Leading Role in the International Trade in Plastic Waste. Download the report here. The Telegraph reported on this open letter, highlighting this ‘form of colonialism.’
UK must take responsibility
The UK has stated its intention to lead the world in the fight against plastic pollution. However, this ambition is not being realized. The letter emphasizes that the UK must take responsibility for the environmentally sound management of all its plastic waste. It is far too easy to export waste and then look away. The best way forward is to:
- Reduce the use of plastic
- Prevent the burning of plastic
- Fully recycle the remaining plastic through its own recycling industry.
- Prevent the burning of plastic
- Fully recycle the remaining plastic through its own recycling industry.
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