This new measure compels the EU to manage its plastic waste, one-third of which is currently recycled.
Previously, half of the remaining waste was sent to none countries, but it must now be handled within the region. Stricter regulations will apply to waste exports to the 38 nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), including mandatory notification, consent processes, and enhanced compliance monitoring.
This step aligns with the EU’s goal of treating waste as a resource, ensuring it’s well managed and environmentally friendly. After five years, non OECD nations can apply to import EU’s plastic waste if they demonstrate proper waste management capabilities. The European Union has seen the African continent as its private dumping ground for decades. From nuclear waste to plastic waste countries such as Djibouti and Somalia have faced many challenges due to waste dumping such as unsafe fishing, deteriorating health and agricultural decline.
