British companies export thousands of tonnes of plastic waste to Turkey every year - with Greenpeace analysis of UN Comtrade data revealing the UK was the largest exporter of waste to Turkey in 2023.
Following the cross-border investigation Boy Wasted, which examined how British plastic waste ended up in unsafe recycling facilities in Turkey and revealing that already more than 200 people have died during their work at such facilities, Barry Gardiner, UK Labour MP have called for reforms to national waste export policies.
Gardiner, who is a former environment minister, chaired a panel on 28 September in Liverpool to discuss the findings of Boy Wasted, and the broader issue of plastic exports, crime, and recycling.
At the Labour Party conference, MPs announced a campaign for “real change” in response to findings published by ENDS Report in collaboration with Journalismfund Europe.
Discussions are ongoing within the party on how to strengthen domestic recycling infrastructure and accountability mechanisms.
Further, CIWM – the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, UK – has issued an official statement in response to the investigation. Dan Cooke, CIWM Director of Policy, Communications & External Affairs, stated:
"The findings and issues raised by Boy Wasted are highly concerning and another wake up call for all parties in the UK plastics value chain.”
Photo: ENDS report
