On 20 September the European Commission adopted the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe. The Commission thinks that waste is a valuable resource and that we’re not doing a good job in using this resource in Europe.
We’re exporting more and more waste, especially to Asia. More recycling and less exporting of it could decrease imports of raw materials. This would have a positive impact on the environment and the economy.
Today, Euractiv has a background piece on European waste exports which brought this issue to our attention.
Waste exports to Asia have been in the news a lot, especially because of “ship breaking” in countries like India and Bangladesh. Older ships contain asbestos, posing serious health problems to workers in this industry. You can actually see from space the huge amount of ships that are being dismantled on the coast of Bangladesh.
And in India…
