Nigeria has joined 23 other non-OECD countries in seeking EU approval to import non-hazardous waste, including municipal and demolition materials.
The European Commission received the requests on Monday, as part of the new Waste Shipments Regulation introduced under the EU’s Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan.
What’s Included in Non-Hazardous Waste?
Non-hazardous waste accounts for 95.6% of solid waste produced in Europe and includes:
– _Municipal waste_: packaging, clothing, bottles, plastics, and food waste
– _Demolition materials_: concrete, bricks, stones, and other construction materials
New Regulations and Requirements
The new Waste Shipments Regulation aims to establish stricter rules for waste shipments between the EU and non-OECD countries. To be eligible to import non-hazardous waste, countries must demonstrate their ability to manage these materials in an environmentally sound manner, meeting or exceeding EU conditions.
Key Measures and Deadlines
– A full ban on the export of plastic waste from the EU will take effect by November 2026.
– The European Commission will evaluate applications and prepare a list of approved countries by November 2026.- Countries not included in this list will be prohibited from importing waste from the EU from May 2027 onwards.
Nigeria is joined by 23 other countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, in seeking EU approval to import non-hazardous waste.