The entire structure for exporting recovered plastics overseas is in jeopardy, according to Cameron McClatchie, Chairman of British Polythene Industries (BPI) PLC.
Concern is growing that large quantities of waste plastic from farms are being exported as Green List waste, even though it does not qualify as such. “Because of the high levels of non plastic contamination contained in waste farm films – dirt, sand, straw, plus general farmyard waste and effluents – Defra and the EA have rightly classified this waste as ‘notifiable’ under the Waste Regulations and this waste should only be collected with appropriate paperwork, and exported from the UK after notifying the EA”, commented McClatchie.
Speaking at the formal opening of BPI’s new polythene wash plant in Rhymney, South Wales, McClatchie urged Defra, the Welsh Government and the Environment Agency (EA) to take action before this problem damaged the export market for all plastics: “Sadly, since we approved the expenditure for this facility (£4.5 million), the export of this type of waste from the UK has increased, as waste exporters flout the requirements by ignoring their responsibility to notify this waste to the EA. This could have serious consequences for the UK, where we currently meet EU recycling targets by exporting [Green List] waste to the Far East.”
Explaining the issue, he stated: “If that export trade in green waste were to be compromised by the inclusion of notifiable waste, then the export of all waste shipments could be compromised, if for any reason the transport of waste from farms was to be suspended for a period due to health or disease fears.”
The underlying concern is that authorities in countries such as China are unable to determine whether consignments contain contaminated farm plastics. Without confidence that there is suitable enforcement of exports leaving the UK, if a transmittable disease breaks out, then authorities in destination countries will potentially have no option other than to ban all plastic imports from the UK.
Mike Baxter, BPI’s Director of External Affairs told Resource: “We know that major players in the export of farm plastics do this and are even open the fact they are exporting contaminated material, but they get better money for exporting it.”
He added: “No action has been taken so far, but the Environment Agency has a lot on its plate. With limited resources this issue has not been on its horizon and the plastics exporters believe they can get away with it, but, based on our discussions with the EA, this might be about to change.”
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