Waste containers return to U.K. from Brazil
Dozens of containers sent from the United Kingdom to Brazil said to contain recyclable plastic materials were returned Friday to Britain after Brazilian health authorities suspected the containers were full of condoms, syringes and human waste.
Some 70 containers arrived at the Port of Felixstowe aboard an Mediterranean Shipping Co. vessel, with another 19 due on Tuesday, the BBC and other international news outlets reported over the weekend.
Three men were arrested in Swindon in July in connection with the shipment, which was sent under the guise of a legitimate shipment. British law allows waste to be shipped abroad for recycling, but not disposal. The material was found by Brazilian officials in three of the country’s ports over the past few months.
Andrew Higham, head of the Agency’s National Environment Crime Unit, said Britain would not allow its waste to be dumped on developing countries.
“The United Kingdom has taken a strong global lead to stamp out the illegal waste trade,” he said in a statement.