The Indonesian authorities have raised concerns that the 1800-tonne cargo, described as scrap metal, was heavily contaminated with liquid and mixed waste, and have requested that it is returned to the UK.
Under the terms of the international laws which govern global waste exports, Indonesia may accept scrap metal for recycling. However, contaminated waste cannot be exported.
The Environment Agency has started its own investigation and is liaising with the Indonesian Authorities. The containers are due to be released by the authorities at the end of March 2012 and are expected to reach the UK a month later.
The shipment was intercepted at Jakartas Tanjung Priok Port by port officials in early February 2012 (see letsrecycle.com story). The shipment contained 113 containers in total however 24 of these are from the Netherlands and will be handled by Dutch authorities.
Investigation
Commenting on the investigation Andy Higham, head of the EAs national environmental crime team, said: We are working closely with the Indonesian authorities to establish the facts of this case.
Illegal waste exports risk harm to human health and the environment in the country of export, it also undermines law-abiding recycling businesses back home. There is a legitimate export market for recyclable material. However, we will take vigorous action where there is evidence of waste being exported illegally.
The Environment Agency has environmental crime teams to track and prosecute organised criminal gangs who dump waste illegally. The Agency will oversee the arrival of the containers before undertaking an inspection of their contents. The inspection is expected to be lengthy and a fumigation process may have to take place first to make it safe foe officers to document the consignment.
The news comes just a few days after a case being brought by the Agency against four men and two companies for the alleged illegal export of 89 containers of prohibited waste to Brazil between November 2008 and July 2009 was referred to the Old Bailey (see letsrecycle.com story).
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