New EU rules on importing and exporting plastic waste

Article summary

The European Commission has announced it has adopted new rules on export, import and intra–EU shipment of plastic waste. There will be a ban on the export of plastic waste from the EU to non–OECD countries, but not including clean plastic waste which was sent for recycling. Also, exporting plastic waste from the EU to OECD counties and imports in the EU will be more closely controlled. These new rules aim to end export of plastic waste to third countries that do not typically have the capacity and standard to be able to manage it sustainably. The new rules will come into force on 1 January 2021.