Exporting plastic waste for recycling
The export of plastic waste materials for recycling, particularly to developing countries, is sometimes seen as a questionable practice. However, the UK remains dependent upon export markets to achieve its plastic recycling targets because we do not currently have capacity to recycle all our plastic waste.
Why do we currently export some of our plastic waste for recycling?
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The UK currently exports plastic because there is not enough capacity within the UK to recycle it. In 2019, the UK exported 61% of its plastic packaging for recycling.
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When export takes place, this needs to be without a detrimental effect on the quality of material and making sure that the exported plastic waste is managed in an environmentally sound manner once it reaches its end destination. It is vital that waste exporters adhere to national and international legislation governing waste exports and robust checks are in place to prevent fraud.
Can the UK reduce its reliance on export?
The BPF has released a Recycling Roadmap, which sets out how plastic export can be significantly reduced and low quality export eliminated. This means export would no longer be a route for low quality material and the overall quality of material would be increased. A key part of achieving the vision presented by this roadmap is investment in UK infrastructure. The right legislative framework also needs to be in place, as currently the producer responsibility scheme puts UK facilities at a disadvantage.
On 1 January 2021, the UK amended its Waste Shipment Regulations to adhere to the Basel Convention, which means that more plastic needs notification to be sent. The impact of this on export will be monitored
The UK currently exports plastic because there is not enough capacity within the UK to recycle it.
Based on the evidence, the BPF believes
There is currently a need to export plastic waste, as the UK does not have the infrastructure to recycle all of its plastic waste. However, with the right drivers in place, the amount we export can be significantly reduced.
- By 2030, export could be the end destination for only 9%of plastic waste and the UK could eliminate low quality export.
- Investment in expanding the UK’s recycling capacity is needed to reduce reliance on exports. The Recycling Roadmap has shown that there could be three times more material recycled in the UK than currently.
- Quality of material is key for both the UK and export markets. Defining and implementing a set of quality standards in the UK is needed to ensure only high-quality plastic waste that is uncontaminated and ready to be recycled in an environmentally sound manner is permitted to be exported.
- The existing PRN/PERN system should be amended to rebalance the bias in the system towards export.
- The BPF is supportive of policies and legislation that help to accelerate the transition of the plastics recycling industry to a UK-based, resource-efficient, circular economy.
