Return to sender

Return to sender – Malaysia has returned 150 containers of illegal plastic waste to their countries of origin, including 43 to France, authorities said on Monday, noting that the Southeast Asian country would not become a "landfill"  "for developed countries.

In total, Malaysia returned 150 containers containing some 3,737 tonnes of waste, including 43 to France, 42 to the United Kingdom, 17 to the United States and 11 to Canada. The country plans to ship another 110 soon, including 60 to the United States.

In 2018 the global recycling market was plunged into chaos after China's decision to close its doors to most types of plastic waste. Many Chinese recycling companies have been relocated to Malaysia. However, recycling capacities there are much lower than arrivals and certain localities are overwhelmed by waste.