Interpol report shows increase in illegal plastic waste imports 

Posted on December 7, 2021 by DrRossH in Plastic Limiting Regulations

Source: Interpol report shows increase in illegal plastic waste imports – Inside Waste

A report by international enforcement agency, Interpol, has noted that there has been a marked increase in the illegal importation of plastics to lower Asian and eastern European countries since the China Sword policy was introduced in 2018.

While this world-first legislation [Basel Convention] rolls out in Australia right now, it is clear to see that a simple shift to ‘reprocess’ this same waste into a range of exportable products like Process Engineered Fuel (PEF), Refuse Derived Fuel(RDF), Waste Derived Fuel(WDF) and plastic pellets, will in effect see the continuation of waste exports from Australia to the AP region as ‘plastic waste fuel’ and contaminated plastic feedstocks for the recycling sector.
Bremmer also stated that the explosion of plastic reprocessing facilities and waste-to-energy incinerator projects across Australia makes it clear that the Australian government’s intention is to burn plastic waste, which she said will will be an ecological and climate disaster.