Huge rise in US plastic waste shipments to poor countries following China ban

Beijing's crackdown on foreign waste prompts redirection of US recycling to developing countries in south-east Asia

Exports of plastic waste from the US to developing countries have surged following China's crackdown on foreign waste imports, new research has shown.

Nearly half of plastic waste exported from the US for recycling in the first six months of 2018 was shipped to Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, according to analysis of US census bureau data by Unearthed, Greenpeace's investigative arm. The previous year, the US sent more than 70% to China and Hong Kong.