EU wants to toughen rules on waste exports

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed to toughen the rules on EU waste exports, banning them to countries that do not have the infrastructure to treat them in a "

" way.

Exports to non-OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, which constitute the vast majority, will be possible if they accept to receive this type of waste and "

" , foresees the project of the European executive.

Shipments to OECD countries, around ten outside the EU, may be suspended in the event of environmental problems.

Read alsoThe EU wants to eliminate toxic pollutants from recyclable waste

European exporting companies will have to ensure that the facilities at destination are subject to an independent audit showing that they manage this waste while minimizing the environmental impact.

These measures, which will be examined by EU states and MEPs, are due to strengthen 2006 legislation. “

”, without sufficient control, amplifying “

”, underlines the Commission.

The EU exported 33 million tonnes of waste last year and itself imported 16 million.

"Facilitate the reintegration of waste into the circular economy"

China, long one of the main destinations, created a crisis in the global recycling market by deciding from January 2018 to close its doors to foreign waste, gradually banning the import of plastics, metals, textiles, waste from 'steel ... Submerged in turn, several Southeast Asian countries have imitated Beijing, Indonesia returning to Western countries several hundred containers of waste deemed non-compliant or dangerous.

In this context, the Commission's project intends to "

" within the EU.

Brussels is therefore proposing “

” and accelerated procedures for transport to “

”

reprocessing infrastructures

.

A "

" of waste should put an end to the fragmentation of the European market, where different interpretations and procedures depending on the country complicate cross-border shipments.

Read also Waste: Coca-Cola will attach its caps to bottles from 2022

Finally, the Commission proposes to step up the fight against illegal trafficking of European waste, which would amount to 9.5 billion euros per year in the EU, by allowing the European anti-fraud agency (OLAF) to participating in national investigations and strengthening sanctions.