Latin America wants to stop importing plastic waste

The United States has doubled its export of plastic waste to some Latin American countries in a short period of time. This is the result of a study by the Lost Beach Cleanup Group, based on data from the first seven months of last year.

There are ecosystems all over Latin America In a consideration of the study The United States has been called upon to reduce plastic waste exports to the region.

China

That’s America The company that exports the most plastic waste In this world. Until the middle of the last decade, China was the largest importer of these waste streams. However, the Asian country decided to close its borders to waste.

However, exporters of plastic waste began to look for other buyers. As for the United States, it was particularly Latin America, a rewarding place for American plastic waste due to its proximity and cheap labor.

More than 75 percent of Latin America’s plastic waste imports go to Mexico (32,650 tons), followed by El Salvador (4,054 tons) and Ecuador (3,665 tons).

A report by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (Gaia) argued that imports were increasing as US and Chinese companies in Latin America invested in recycling plants. The United States imports plastic waste Can be processed.

Ecological colonization

Critics have branded these practices as a form of environmental colonialism. An international agreement was signed two years ago to curb the flow of plastic waste from developed countries in the north to poorer countries in the south.

United Nations However, that agreement was not ratified It has been accused of exporting its waste to Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

“Recycling is often mislabeled as a positive act,” Gaya adds. “Rich countries are proud to recycle their waste, but have failed to make efforts to reduce their waste production.”

(LP)