Malaysia Stops Accepting Plastic Waste From the U.S. And Other Rich Nations

The U.S. produces more plastic waste than any other country in the world. Last year, more than 35,000 tons of it was shipped to Malaysia, which received more discarded plastic from rich nations than any other developing country. But in June, Malaysian leaders effectively banned future shipments. John Yang speaks with Anja Brandon, director of plastics policy at Ocean Conservancy, to learn more.

• John Yang:

  The United States produces more plastic waste than any other country in the world. Hundreds of tons person. About 90 percent of it ends up in landfills, is burned or shipped overseas. Last year, more than 35,000 tons of it was shipped to Malaysia. Malaysia received more discarded plastic from rich nations than any other developing country.

  But last month, Malaysian leaders effectively banned future shipments. Anja Brandon is director of Plastics Policy for the Ocean Conservancy. Anya, why are these rich nations like the United States shipping plastic waste to countries like Malaysia?

• Anja Brandon, Ocean Conservancy:

  Yeah, it’s a great question. Honestly, there’s two big factors. One, we are simply making too much waste here at home to handle ourselves. You already said we are the number one generator of plastic waste worldwide. The average American generates something like 200 pounds of plastic waste each and every year.

  And the second big reason is it is just cheaper to send it overseas than trying to deal with it here ourselves. This sort of has led to our out of sight, out of mind approach, which is becoming painfully clear now that these other countries are no longer accepting our waste.