ENVIRONMENTAL group Ecowaste Coalition has lauded the move of South Korean government to take back its mis-declared trash shipped into the country, saying it was a gesture that Canada should emulate.
EcoWaste adviser Manny Calonzo said Canada must follow the move of South Korea as its wastes have been lingering in the country since 2013
“It’s high time for Canada to follow suit and take back its waste without further delay,” Calonzo said. The cargo from Canada contained imported scrap metals mixed with used diapers and other waste materials.
Reports said South Korea’s 5,100-ton cargo, which came from Pyeongtaek City and declared as plastic synthetic flakes, was not covered by importation clearance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
DENR said neither the South Korean company nor the cargo’s consignee, Verde Soko II Industrial Corp., was registered as an importer of recyclable materials.
Citing a press release on the website of South Korea’s embassy in the Philippines, EcoWaste said South Korea has assured to take back its cargo.
“Relevant authorities of Korea will have the wastes in question be repatriated and properly disposed of and work to prevent recurrence of the problem,” the Korean press release said.
South Korea’s Ministry of Environment initiated on Nov. 21 legal proceedings to have the waste brought back “in accordance with Article 20 of the Law on Cross-border movement and Disposal of Wastes – Prior Notice of Repatriation Order – and embarked on investigation of the violation of Article 18-2 of the said law – False Export Declaration,” the press release said further.
EcoWaste is hoping South Korea’s action on the matter will lead to strengthening of regulatory controls that will prevent garbage from being dumped in the Philippines again. (Chito Chavez)