2023-08-04
TUNIS - In this story, a team of journalists based in Italy, Tunisia, and Germany highlights how waste gets illegally trafficked to countries with more competitive rates and lower environmental standards through mislabelling, fake documentation, corruption, and taking advantage of control loopholes.
Despite recycling rates increasing throughout Europe, not-so-conveniently recyclable plastic and other trash frequently end up abroad. Until 2018, China was the main receiver of low-quality plastic. Then, its decision to ban the imports of several types of waste caused turmoil in the Western world. In a few years, new destinations have emerged, and little control still makes transboundary movements of waste an attractive way to get rid of undesirable waste.
Only rarely do these trash schemes lead to international scandals like the lengthy one that recently involved Italy and Tunisia. Most of the time, authorities realize a shipment is illicit only once it gets to its destination, opening a burdensome and sometimes endless process of repatriation.
Picture of a fire that broke out in December 2021 inside a warehouse belonging to the receiving company in Tunisia. Image by Mabrouka Khedir
Mentor
Supported
€5.630 allocated on 13/12/2021ID
ENV1/2021/022Grant
ONLINE
-
Takin’ out the trash: How do transnational waste traffickers operate? - Mongabay (03/08/2023)
need resources for your own investigative story?
Journalismfund Europe's flexible grants programmes enable journalists to produce relevant public interest stories with a European mind-set from international, national, and regional perspectives.
support independent cross-border investigative journalism
We rely on your support to continue the work that we do. Make a gift of any amount today.
The invisible factory farms: the rise of aquaculture in “green” Europe
- Environment
- Fishing industry
The Migrant Farm Workers on the Frontline of Europe’s Climate Crisis
- Agriculture
- Environment
- Exploitation
- Migration
