The European Union announced today, Tuesday, that it is banning the export of plastic waste from the European bloc to poor countries, starting January 1, in light of concerns about pollution in third world countries.
Plastic exports will be "severely restricted", according to the European Commission.
A press release said that the new rules would allow the export of "clean plastic waste resulting from recycling" to countries that are not members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
It is reported that, following China´s ban on plastic imports at the beginning of 2018, when it was previously considered a major destination for plastic waste, the plastic trade has shifted to other countries in Asia such as Malaysia.
"These new rules send a clear message that we in the European Union bear responsibility for the waste that we produce," said European Commissioner for Environmental Affairs, Virginius Sincivius.
