Global waste trade

Import curbs on plastic waste a doubled-edged sword for Indonesia

Even as the problem of toxic waste rears its head, recycling businesses fear a crackdown on imports will hurt their profits

A port employee locking a container filled with waste set to be sent back to its origin country, Australia. An Australian flag protruding from a mound of plastic waste at an imported-plastic dump site in Mojokerto, East Java. The Indonesian authoriti
An Australian flag protruding from a mound of plastic waste at an imported-plastic dump site in Mojokerto, East Java. The Indonesian authorities have pledged to step up the fight against plastic waste imports, following a surge in shipments. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
A port employee locking a container filled with waste set to be sent back to its origin country, Australia. An Australian flag protruding from a mound of plastic waste at an imported-plastic dump site in Mojokerto, East Java. The Indonesian authoriti
A port employee locking a container filled with waste set to be sent back to its origin country, Australia. ST PHOTO: LINDA YULISMAN
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Indonesia is facing a growing dilemma over plastic waste. It is the world's second largest plastic waste polluter after China, and a growing importer from wealthier countries.

Local recycling of foreign and domestic plastic waste is a lucrative and fast-growing business, but the Indonesian authorities have pledged to step up the fight against plastic waste imports following a surge in shipments, matching a trend in other South-east Asian nations following a ban by China.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 24, 2019, with the headline Import curbs on plastic waste a doubled-edged sword for Indonesia. Subscribe