"This has grave implications, not only for the exploitation of the workers who pick through the rubbish, but also for the environment. People's good intentions could be compromised by the fact that some of the waste ends up being shipped half way round the world"
Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru sustainability spokesperson
Cardiff, Wales: Councils in Wales are sending waste collected for recycling to Far East and South American countries, according to information obtained by Plaid Cymru.
Seven councils in Wales: Cardiff, Powys, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Pembrokeshire, Monmouthshire and Swansea all admit that some of their recycled waste is exported to countries outside the EU, including China and Brazil, according to the Party.
Seven other local authorities either did not know or accepted it was possible that waste they collect as recycling is exported to countries outside Britain.
Plaid Cymru is calling for a review of Government policy in relation to waste exports.
However it is perhaps a lack of public knowledge of the waste management market that seems to make this a surprise. In particular China is rapidly becoming the workshop of the world, as was Britain in years gone by, and needs the raw materials to produce the products. Clearly the same advantages of using recycled wastes apply there as here – conservation of natural resources, energy saving, diversion from landfill etc.
The question from an environmental viewpoint is, would materials be better being returned to China after processing in the UK rather than being transported in bulk. China currently has a major cost advantage when it comes to processing. Also the concept of return loads applies in that a ship bringing in finished products from the Far East can return laden with materials for recycling.
But it is important to be confident that wastes to be processed abroad are in fact being treated correctly, i.e that we are not simply exporting pollution.
The Welsh Local Government Association has indicated that for Wales to become a recycling nation, recyclate needs to be seen as a resource to be traded on the world commodities markets.
Commenting on the information she obtained from Welsh councils, Plaid's sustainability spokesperson Leanne Wood AM said:
"It is clear that a not insignificant amount of Wales's kerbside recycling waste ends up being processed in countries such as China and India. People who diligently recycle their waste do not expect it to be transported that far.
"This has grave implications, not only for the exploitation of the workers who pick through the rubbish, but also for the environment. People's good intentions could be compromised by the fact that some of the waste ends up being shipped half way round the world. It's hardly the most sustainable policy and grossly counter-productive. It may be cheaper to process goods in those countries, but the cost to the environment and the people involved must be taken into account. "
Leanne Wood is also calling for a review of government policy, adding:
"People recycle their waste expecting it to be reused close to home, not for it to be sent to China or India. Government policy needs to examine the environmental and economic implications of this situation. These findings raise serious questions that need to be answered."