A group of cross-party MPs are pressing for a motion to completely ban plastic waste exports to the developing world. The Early Day Motion, backed by MPs including Zac Goldsmith and Caroline Lucas, focusses on how the UK exports plastic rubbish abroad, effectively passing the buck.
The group is asking the government the ban following warnings from the National Audit Office (NAO) that millions of tonnes of plastic waste exported by the UK to developing nations was ending up in landfill or as ocean litter. As it stands, 30 MPs have backed the plans.
Two-thirds of plastic waste collected in the UK is being sent abroad for recycling purposes.
According to Business Green, MPs are “extremely concerned that the sight of piles of plastic rubbish generated in the UK is becoming increasingly common across the Global South”.