The government should not export UK rubbish to developing countries, according to an Early Day Motion backed by a cross-party group of MPs, including Conservative Zac Goldsmith and the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas.
The EDM requests the government to introduce a complete ban on plastic waste exports to developing countries. The National Audit Office has reported that millions of tonnes of plastic waste exported by the UK to developing countries was processed improperly and ending up in landfill or as ocean litter.
Two-thirds of plastic waste collected for recycling in the UK is exported for the purpose of recycling. China banned almost all imported waste in January 2018. Much of the surplus has been exported to neighbouring countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam for processing.