Philippines is not a dumping site, Greenpeace tells South Korea
MANILA, Philippines — A group of environmental advocates on Wednesday called on the South Korean government to take back the tons of plastic wastes it had shipped to the Philippines.
“We are telling South Korea to address this with urgency and haste by taking back their wastes and by putting a stop to all waste exports emanating from their country,” Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Abigail Aguilar said.
Last July, 51,000 tons of garbage misdeclared as plastic synthetic flakes arrived at Mindanao International Container Terminal. The shipment actually contained plastic, used batteries, diapers and dextrose tubes.
Citing records of the Korean Customs, Greenpeace said the east Asian nation exported 4,397 tons of plastic waste to the Philippines in 2017. The amount of waste export doubled from January to September 2018 at 11,588 tons.
“While the Philippines itself is reeling from the amount of plastic waste we are generating, it is distressing that other countries are still looking at us to dispose of their wastes,” Aguilar said, noting that the Philippines and other developing countries are “not dumping grounds.”
The Greenpeace campaigner lamented the South Korea waste dumping case is reminiscent of the Canadian garbage controversy.
“No amount of profit will justify the amount of garbage we receive from rich countries, be it from Canada or South Korea,” Aguilar said.
She, moreover, urged the Philippine government to push for the return of the garbage-filled shipments and filing of cases to those who are behind these misdeclared cargo.
Environment undersecretary for solid waste management Benny Antiporda said “appropriate action” will be taken against the importer.
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