First world’s trash& the opportunists

Most of us may not be aware at all that China has been the world’s largest importer of wastes for decades. These are trash the Washington-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) considered as "scrap commodities" that are used or processed again by Chinese manufacturers.

Actually, it all started in the 1980s, purposely, to energize the country’s manufacturing sector. It fueled the growth of its “waste processing and recycling industry.” It was, indeed, a big help because until the end of 2017, according to Greenpeace, it was the receptacle “for more than half of the world's trash.” At its peak, “China was importing almost 9 million metric tons of plastic scrap a year.” Due to improper handling of trash, however, China turned into one of the world’s “major polluter”, the Greenpeace added. Due to this predicament, starting 2018, China has banned the importation of 24 types of scraps.

Consequently, four of the world’s top exporters of waste (U.S., the U.K., the EU and Japan) that dumped most of their waste to China are now looking for options to deal with it.  U.S., for one, which the ISRI said “exported $5.6 billion worth of scrap to China in 2016, asked China last month to immediately halt its ban.”

On the other hand, experts said, the “European Union is mulling a tax on plastics usage” and, curiously, the “United Kingdom was looking to divert some of its trash to Southeast Asia.”

While the options of the USA and the European Union are still in the works that of the UK seemed in place. The fact is, Chinese customs data revealed that “China’s solid waste imports (which include plastics, paper and metal) fell by 54 percent in the first quarter of 2018 following the January ban.”

On the other hand, in the same period, there were reported increases in waste imports in several Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. Obviously, some trash were diverted there.

Most likely, if we are not vigilant enough, some of our country’s sneaky businessmen a.k.a. opportunists might just take advantage of this very lucrative prospect too. Consequently, our country shall become one of the world’s receptacles of trash. Already having problems with garbage segregation and collection, trash imports (if it happens) will just make fresh air our country’s most expensive commodity.

Is it a big possibility that waste imports may happen?  Of course, yes.  Just like exactly the same as the proliferation of “ukay-ukay”. Undeniably, we’ve been witnesses as to how the sale of “ukay-ukay” (used clothing) proliferated in both the metropolis and the countryside.  Done in broad daylight, it is seemingly enjoying a reasonable amount of legitimacy.

However, though it appeared legitimate, importation of used clothing is illegal by virtue of Republic Act No. 4653, “an act to safeguard the health of the people and maintain the dignity of the nation by declaring it a national policy to prohibit the commercial importation of textile articles commonly known as used clothing or rags.”

Surprisingly, despite its seeming abundance, we haven’t heard of anyone fined or, worst, imprisoned. By its (ukay-ukay) sheer volume, it is unthinkable that these will go through the piercing eyes of the men and women of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) unnoticed. Unless one shall opt to go blind, the much ballyhooed state-of-the-art X-ray machines positioned at the international ports could have easily detected them too.

Unfortunately, however, Republic Act No. 1937 (in particular, Sec. 105 paragraph v.), allows importation of these stuffs for relief work or for non-for-profit relief organizations. Thus, through this small window of opportunity, some “ukay-ukay” importations have been made legal.

Suspiciously, however, through devious means, it went to the mainstream not to the intended beneficiaries like the typhoon victims. Thus, the used clothing business flourished.

Reportedly, these are items dropped off at charities in wealthy nations but are often sold to third world countries like the Philippines. Every year, over US$1 billion worth are sent to these countries and are rummaged through by prudent shoppers in search of a bargain.  Apparently, with our insatiable desire couple with the relative ease in importing, these quality used items have glutted the market like never before.

However, before the euphoria each time we rake in heaps of ukay-ukay at dole-out prices subsides, please ponder a bit. The next batch of imports could be boatloads of first world countries’ waste. Absolutely, the unscrupulous businessmen will have everything to gain. Sadly, for the rest of us, unlike “ukay-ukay”, there is nothing to bargain.