TAGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental – The Philippines on Monday sent back to Hong Kong a container van loaded with mixed electronic waste (e-waste) that were shipped to the country in January this year.
At past 12 noon, SITC Nagoya, the ship carrying the 25,000 kilograms of shredded gadgets and computers, departed from the Mindanao International Container Terminal Port in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
The trash shipment to Hong Kong happened barely a week after Manila sent 69 containers of mixed garbage to Canada.
READ: Ship carrying Canada’s trash leaves Subic Bay Port
The shipment arrived at the Mindanao Container Terminal in January 2 but was only discovered in May. It was said to be exported by Hin Yuen Tech. Env. Limited and consigned to Crowd Win Industrial Limited Corp.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), garbage consisting of plastic scraps and shredded electronic parts poses risks to human health especially when dumped onto a landfill.
“Kapag sinabi kasi nating waste electronic and electrical equipment meron po itong mga content na hazardous and toxic chemicals, tulad po ng mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic,” said Reynaldo Digamo, regional director of DENR-Caraga.
Similarly, customs port collector John Simon said that the Hong Kong e-waste was hazardous and its shipment is illegal under the law.
“The export of this hazardous waste from Hong Kong in the guise of ‘assorted electronic accessories’ is illegal under the laws of Hong Kong and the Philippines and the Basel Convention,” Simon said.
He also said a stricter regulation will be implemented at the port to prevent the entry of illegal cargoes. Appropriate charges will also be filed against the shipment’s consignee.
“Kami pong dalawa ay nagkakaisa na ang ating mga ahensya ay dapat iisa ang ating posisyon, upang labanan ang lahat ng mga basurang papasok sa ating bansa” Simon said.
An environmental group, meanwhile, has renewed its call for the implementation of a comprehensive ban on waste imports and the rapid ratification of the Basel Ban Amendment.
“’Yung Basel Ban Amendment ang kino-cover nu’n ay talagang proteksyon… ang mga developed countries ay hindi na dapat magtapon o magpadala ng mga hazardous waste kahit na ito ay in the name of recycling,” said Aileen Luzero, Ecowaste Coalition national coordinator. (with details from Raymond Octobre)
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