Indonesia to Send Back 547 Containers of Contaminated Materials

Refusing to be a dumping ground for the developed world’s trash, Indonesia is sending back 547 containers of materials contaminated with used plastic and hazardous waste to wealthier nations.

Nine containers with at least 135 tons of waste were sent back to Australia, while 91 other containers will be returned to Australia after administrative processes are complete. The Miami Herald reports that those containers were among 156 containers held in Tangerang Port near Jakarta, Indonesia, that soon will be returned to other countries, including the U.S., New Zealand, Spain, Belgium and England.

Back in June, Indonesia returned a shipment of waste paper from Canada—imported via the U.S.—because it was contaminated with plastic, rubber and diapers.

Miami Herald has more:

Indonesia is sending 547 containers of waste back to wealthy nations after discovering they were contaminated with used plastic and hazardous materials, amid a growing backlash in Southeast Asia against being a dumping ground for the developed world's trash.

Nine containers with at least 135 tons of waste were sent back to Australia on Wednesday, customs director Heru Pambudi said at a news conference in Jakarta.

"Some food still remains there with liquid flowing," Pambudi said as he showed the contents of several containers.

Read the full story here.