cross-posted from : https://lemmy.zip/post/63528174
Much of the waste was sent to Turkey, followed by Malaysia, with Indonesia also a regular destination. Investigations have repeatedly linked the plastic recycling industry in these countries to environmental damage, illegal dumping and burning, and labour abuses.
It’s provided free to factories for fuel. This is of course unofficial but very widespread. https://www.asia-pacific-solidarity.net/news/2025-05-10/toxic-tofu-how-plastic-waste-west-fuels-food-factories-indonesia.html
Especially when “recycled” mixed plastic and paper from western recycling programs is exported. The plastic is likely to be burnt to cook food.
Disappointed to see my own country implicated in this.