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EU Prohibits Waste Plastic Exports To Developing Countries

European legislators, and member states, last week, took a decision to forbid the export of plastic waste to nations outside the OECD, an organization made up primarily of wealthy nations, starting in the middle of 2026.

The agreement is reached as negotiators gather in Nairobi, Kenya, to finalize a worldwide agreement against plastic waste.

The ban on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries aims to manage waste responsibly and to prevent harm to environment or human health.

The rules approved by the European council and parliament, restricts exports to rich countries and non-OECD countries which can be lifted at request after 5 years.

Campaigners are concerned that less than a third of plastic wastes in Europe is recycled, with concerns that most exported wastes ends up in landfills and waterways.

The rules permit certain non-plastic waste types to be shipped to non-OECD countries if they meet social and environmental criteria which will potentially increase waste shipment to OECD countries like turkey.

Microplastics researcher, Sedat Gundogdu criticizes the lack of total export ban on plastic waste to non-OECD countries, including Turkey, stating that partial bans and ineffective content controls do not prevent illegal waste circulation.

“Whilst this is an improvement to current obligations, the evidence of the harms and necessity for a full ban on plastic waste are clear. This is a sign that the EU is starting to acknowledge its part in the catastrophe caused by plastic pollution worldwide,” said Environmental Investigation Agency campaigner Lauren Weir.

 

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