The dark truth behind plastic waste trade, the consequences of the Chinese import ban & the environmental damage of plastic waste trade using Life Cycle Assessment.

Abstract: In recent years, plastic waste trade has received increasing attention due to huge amounts ending up in countries with high rates of mismanaged plastic waste and the environmental damage of plastic pollution. The EU has been exporting plastic waste to China for recycling purposes due to insufficient domestic recycling capacities, until 2018, when China decided to ban all imports of plastic waste. This study aims to quantify the direct effect of the Chinese import ban of the biggest EU exporting countries trade flows, domestic treatment methods and environmental effects using Life Cycle Assessment. Given the importance of international trade, there is a need to understand the environmental impact of exporting thousands of tonnes of plastic waste, especially to Southeast Asia. The result indicated changes in trade flows, stagnated domestic recycling rates and that the new trade pattern to Southeast Asia is the least preferred option given 3 out of 6 environmental indicators in the LCA, including human health and the marine environment.