Thailand has stopped importing plastic waste, a move aimed at reducing pollution and addressing its role as a destination for global waste.
Areesha Lodhi reports for Al Jazeera.
In short:
- As of January 2025, Thailand has banned plastic waste imports, which had surged after China’s 2018 ban on such imports.
- Wealthy nations often export plastic waste to the Global South due to lower recycling costs, but poor management of waste has led to pollution and health risks.
- Environmental activists criticize this practice as “waste colonialism” and urge a global treaty to regulate plastic production and trade.
Why this matters:
The global trade in plastic waste has long raised concerns about environmental justice, with wealthier nations exporting their waste to poorer countries ill-equipped to manage it. This practice often leads to severe pollution, with plastics clogging waterways, degrading soil and contributing to hazardous air quality when burned. Communities in these regions face heightened exposure to toxins, including chemicals linked to cancer, respiratory problems and developmental disorders.
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