There is a double environmental win from this trade- it makes more sustainable use of the world's resources, cutting the consumption of raw materials, while boosting recycling levels in the UK and reducing our reliance on landfill
Joan Ruddock, Defra
DEFRA has announced that it is to change its Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations to include the wishes of more countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The move follows changes to the European Green List Regulation, which came into force in December 2007. These were made after the European Commission received details of what waste materials many non-OECD countries wished to receive or ban. The responses had come in over a period of months since the original regulations were created.
The changes are expected to provide clarity on what materials can be sent abroad and to protect countries from receiving materials they do not want. They will also help prevent the export of recyclables to countries which believe they could not process them in an environmentally friendly way.
Announcing the update, environment minister Joan Ruddock linked the need to protect developing countries with the need for the UK to find export markets for its recyclables.
Mrs Ruddock said: “Many developing countries want our recyclables because of the value of their growing manufacturing sectors. There is a double environmental win from this trade- it makes more sustainable use of the world's resources, cutting the consumption of virgin raw materials, while boosting recycling levels in the UK and reducing our reliance on landfill.
“Defra has worked closely with other UK authorities, the European Commission and other Member States to ensure that the new Green List Regulation is as complete and accurate as possible. I am very pleased that it now reflects the current wishes of countries to which we have a clear duty of responsibility,” she added.
Countries
At present, the EU has received export responses from 45 countries including from major material consumers such as China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia and Vietnam.
However Ross Bartley, environment director at the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), warned that the rules could still cause some confusion until more, more accurate submissions were received from some countries such as India.
Speaking to letsrecycle.com today, he said: “The regulations are still not complete but they are better than they were. But some countries who have replied may need to have a look again at their responses and see if what they have recommended is what they really want, such as India. We expect a lot of changes to this legislation over the years and the more responses we get the better it will be.”
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