Why are UK's plastic waste exports to Malaysia and Indonesia increasing?

According to the article, UK's plastic waste exports to Malaysia and Indonesia have surged by 84% in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024, with campaigners describing it as "unethical and irresponsible waste imperialism". The UK lacks a ban on exports to non-OECD countries, unlike the EU.

How are developing countries affected by the UK's plastic waste exports?

Experts warn that the UK's increasing plastic waste exports to countries like Malaysia and Indonesia are part of a "broken system" that allows waste traders to avoid environmental controls in these developing nations due to weaker laws and lower enforcement capacity.

Home / Environment / UK Plastic Waste Exports to Developing Nations Surge by 84%

UK Plastic Waste Exports to Developing Nations Surge by 84%

Q: What is the EU doing to address plastic waste exports?

The article states that in 2023, the EU agreed to ban exports of waste to poorer nations outside a group of mainly rich countries within the OECD. This ban is set to come into force in November 2026.

8 Oct

•

Summary

UK plastic waste exports to Malaysia and Indonesia soar in 2025
Campaigners call it "unethical and irresponsible waste imperialism"
UK lacks ban on exports to non-OECD countries, unlike the EU

UK Plastic Waste Exports to Developing Nations Surge by 84%

According to an analysis of trade data, the UK's exports of plastic waste to developing countries have soared by 84% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This increase in exports, primarily to Malaysia and Indonesia, has been met with strong criticism from campaigners who describe it as "unethical and irresponsible waste imperialism."

In contrast, the EU agreed in 2023 to ban exports of waste to poorer nations outside a group of mainly rich countries within the OECD, with the ban coming into force in November 2026. However, the UK has not implemented a similar ban, allowing its plastic waste exports to continue rising.

The data analyzed by The Last Beach Cleanup, a US group campaigning to halt plastic pollution, shows that UK plastic waste exports to Indonesia increased from 525 tonnes in 2024 to 24,006 tonnes in 2025, while exports to Malaysia rose from 18,872 tonnes to 28,667 tonnes over the same period. Overall, the percentage of UK plastic waste going directly to non-OECD countries increased from 11% in 2024 to 20% in 2025.

Experts warn that this is a "broken system" that allows waste traders to avoid environmental controls in developing countries due to weaker laws and lower enforcement capacity. Campaigners are calling for the UK, one of the top three countries exporting plastic waste, to follow the EU's lead and ban exports to non-OECD countries.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.