Australian Leaders Agree to Ban Exporting Recyclable Waste

(Bloomberg) -- Australia has signaled its commitment to stop exporting recyclable waste amid a pushback by regional neighbors including Indonesia and Malaysia.

State and federal governments agreed at a conference on Friday to draw up a timeline for developing their own recycling capabilities.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said waste management was an “issue of great concern right across the community” and “dear to the hearts” of his state colleagues. Under the commitment, governments will consult with industry and other stakeholders, according to the meeting’s communique.

China and the Philippines have also recently cracked down on waste imports from countries including Australia. Indonesia last month said it had found toxic or contaminated materials in containers from Australia, the U.S., Germany and Hong Kong, and announced it would ramp up inspections. That’s resulted in waste containers mounting up in ports, disrupting customs clearance under strain from the world’s influx of trash.

To contact the reporter on this story: Sybilla Gross in Sydney at sgross61@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Edward Johnson at ejohnson28@bloomberg.net

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