According to BBC News, the Philippines has announced that it is sending over 1,500 tonnes (approx 1,500,000kg) of rubbish back to Canada.
The rubbish was reportedly falsely labelled as plastic for recycling when it was shipped from Canada to the Philippines in 2014, which later resulted in weeks of diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Source: Telesur
Source: Fredericksburg
According to CNBC, the waste was sent over as part of a private commercial transaction without the Philippines government’s consent. The country’s president, Rodrigo Duterte, demanded that the waste be sent back to Canada after the North American nation initially stated it would try to take the waste back by the end of June.
I’m crying. I’m gonna miss it so. Never mind. Another Filipino will find a way to import another batch. Boohoohoo. pic.twitter.com/RkdmhHPSdC
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 31, 2019
69 containers of trash have already been shipped from Manila on a cargo vessel bound for Vancouver, and by the end of June, Canada will have received over 1,500 tonnes of rubbish. Canada’s government has announced that it plans to treat the rubbish at a waste-to-energy facility there. Sean Fraser, Canada’s parliamentary secretary to the environment minister, was quoted by BBC News as saying,
“This is a demonstration that we’re going to comply with our international obligations to deal with waste that originates in Canada.”
Source: The Straits Times
Malaysia also recently made international headlines after it was announced that over 400 tonnes (approx 400,000kg) of imported plastic waste would be sent back to their countries of origin, including the US, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh, by 28th May. Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin was quoted as saying,
“We should not let ourselves become a dumping ground. That’s why we want to control it (plastic waste imports). We want to fight back. They (other countries) are dumping it on us. We will fight back and send it back to them.”
“They have to be responsible for this as it’s really not only about the environment, but the dignity and sovereignty of the country.”
What are your thoughts about this latest development? Let us know in the comments section!
Also read: Report: Over 400 Tonnes of Imported Plastic Waste in Selangor Will Be Shipped Back on 28th May
