c/world · by Lemmynated@lemmy.zip · 107d

Germany was largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, sending 810,000 tonnes overseas, analysis finds

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/30/germany-largest-exporter-plastic-waste-2025

115 points · 7 comments · view on lemmy.world

7 Comments

TheTechnician27@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 107d

As noted:

The EU has agreed to ban exports of plastic waste to countries outside the group of mostly rich OECD nations by November 2026, yet half is still being sent to those destinations. Much of the remainder goes to Turkey, now the largest recipients of European plastic waste.

So that'll be interesting.

Jax@sh.itjust.works · 9 pts · 107d (4 replies)

Sent to a bunch of countries that are just as likely to burn it or dump it in the ocean.

Yaay.

BurgerBaron@piefed.social · 9 pts · 107d (3 replies)

That's what we used to do in Canada until Philippines called us out on our bullshit very publicly. Good for them frankly.

Jax@sh.itjust.works · 7 pts · 107d (2 replies)

The United States also did it with China, though China would subcontract with Southeast Asian countries who would subsequently dump the plastic in the ocean. Not sure what the tipping point was for the U.S.

It's almost like we should stop coming up with different ways to sell plastic.

frongt@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 107d (1 reply)

China banned it.

Jax@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 106d

But was that the reason the U.S. stopped? I was under the impression it was the U.S. that decided to cancel their contracts with China due to illegal dumping, I'm just not sure of the details.

GodIsNull@discuss.tchncs.de · 4 pts · 107d

Man nennt es recycling oder so.