- Non-hazardous waste, which makes up 95.6 per cent of Europe’s solid waste, includes municipal waste like packaging, clothing, bottles, and plastics, as well as demolition materials such as concrete, bricks, stones, and food waste
Nigeria and 23 other countries have formally requested inclusion in the European Union’s list of nations eligible to import non-hazardous waste, according to a statement from the European Commission on Monday.
The request aligns with the EU’s new Waste Shipments Regulation, part of its Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, which introduces stricter waste management rules. The regulation, aimed at promoting sustainability, includes a complete ban on plastic waste exports from the EU by November 2026.
Non-hazardous waste, which makes up 95.6 per cent of Europe’s solid waste, includes municipal waste like packaging, clothing, bottles, and plastics, as well as demolition materials such as concrete, bricks, stones, and food waste.
To be approved, countries must demonstrate their capacity to manage these materials in an environmentally sound manner, adhering to standards that meet or surpass EU requirements. The Commission will assess the applications and release a list of eligible countries by November 2026.
Countries not included in the list will be prohibited from importing non-hazardous waste from the EU from May 2027. Late applications will still be considered, but there is no guarantee they will be assessed before the first list is adopted.
Other nations applying alongside Nigeria include Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
The EU aims to update the list regularly, with reviews at least every two years, ensuring only countries with robust waste management systems remain eligible for imports.
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