A new report reveals an increasing illegal waste trade between Europe and Southeast Asia, posing significant threats to environmental and human health.
Enno Hinz reports for Deutsche-Welle.
In short:
- Southeast Asian nations are struggling with illegal waste imports, primarily from Europe, exploiting weak legal frameworks and enforcement.
- The UN highlights that between 2017 and 2021, ASEAN countries imported over 100 million tons of waste, much of it through illicit channels.
- Despite heavy environmental and health repercussions, lax penalties and high profits continue to drive the waste trafficking industry.
Key quote:
"Once trash is improperly disposed of it becomes everyone's problem. The urgency of addressing waste trafficking cannot be overstated."
— Masood Karimipour, Southeast Asia representative of the UN office on drugs and crime.
Why this matters:
As Western countries generate more waste than they can or are willing to process domestically, some have turned to exporting their waste under the guise of recycling. However, much of this waste ends up in Southeast Asian countries that lack the infrastructure to handle it properly. This illegal waste trafficking not only exploits weaker environmental regulations in these countries but also burdens them with hazardous materials that can lead to severe pollution.
Around the US, illegal dumping creates mental health challenges.
