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5/19/2019

Topic Reading-Vol.2594-5/19/2019


Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Over 180 countries -- not including the US -- agree to restrict global plastic waste trade
The US emits more greenhouse gasses than any other country except for China but withdrew from the 2016 Paris Agreement to deal with greenhouse-gas-emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance.
Having been pushed by a global petition by nearly one million people, most countries but the US have agreed to regulate the movement of plastic waste beyond borders just like hazardous materials. As covered in Vol.2574 on May 4th, plastic waste from developed countries have been sorted, cleaned and recycled in developing countries in Asia. However, the import of plastic waste is exceeding the capacity of proper process and handling. As a result, water and waste pollutions are becoming the most serious and urgent problems, especially in the oceans and seas. According to the resolution, prior consent is required from receiving countries before contaminated and mixed plastic wastes are shipped. Now, exporting countries must ensure that plastic wastes are clean and recyclable. Importing countries have the right to refuse to receive plastic wastes that do not meet the requirements.
Of course, this agreement doesn’t solve the problem overnight. However, it at least urges those exporting countries to properly sort and clean the plastic waste before shipping, as well as to reduce such wastes. As for the US, even though they did not join to sign the agreement, their plastic wastes will not be imported unless the new requirements are met. Why did the US show the world another negative attitude towards the environment?
Enjoy reading the article and start sorting and cleaning your plastic wastes before they are collected.

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