EEA: waste exports hit record levels in 2011

Exports of non-hazardous waste by member states reached record levels last year, according to figures from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Exports of waste iron and steel, and copper, aluminium and nickel doubled between 1999 and 2011. They trebled for precious metals and exports of waste plastics increased by a factor of five over the same period, data show.

The majority of waste plastic is sent outside of Europe and exports keep increasing, driven by economic growth of countries such as China.