GWPF Calls For Ban On Plastic Waste Exports
GWPF calls on UK Government and green NGOs to support a ban on plastic waste exports.
London 29 August: The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF) has called on the UK government and environmental NGOs to get behind a move to ban plastic waste exports, which are thought to be a significant contributor to marine waste.
The Norwegian government recently proposed that plastic consumer rubbish should be listed in the Annexes to the Basel Convention on hazardous waste. The Norwegian proposal was motivated by concerns over the quantity of plastic waste that ends up in the oceans as a result of mismanagement in the destination countries:
“The greatest burden of plastic waste entering the sea is likely to arise where waste collection systems are ineffective or even non-existent. Developing countries in particular may face challenges in managing the rapidly growing volume of plastic waste."
If adopted and accepted by the EU, the Norwegian proposal will effectively prevent EU member states from exporting waste plastic to poor countries, thus reducing the marine waste problem:
“We believe the proposed changes will lead to less marine plastic litter, increased traceability, more control, and less illegal dumping of plastic waste.”
A recent report from the Global Warming Policy Foundation highlighted how the EU’s “green” approach to consumer waste is not green at all, and actually exacerbates the problem of marine plastic pollution.
The Global Warming Policy Forum, the campaigning arm of GWPF, has welcomed the Norwegian proposals, and is calling on the UK government to support them. Forum director, Dr Benny Peiser said:
“There is no doubt in my mind that the ban would be a major step forward in reducing the marine plastic litter crisis. I hope every EU member state, including the UK government, will support the Norwegian proposal. I am calling on environmental organisations to support our call for a plastic waste export ban."
1. The report Save the Oceans: Stop Recycling Plastic can be downloaded from the Global Warming Policy Foundation website.
2. Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste -- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32006R1013 - Article 36 1 b prohibits exports of items listed in Annex II of the Basel Convention to poor countries.