War on waste: how the EU is tackling illegal shipments to developing countries

The rubbish bag that you toss in the bin, or even your old phone, may end up on the other side of the world. Every year, Europe exports millions of tonnes of waste to developing countries, with potentially adverse impacts on the local environment.

In this highly lucrative business, it is estimated that a third of shipments are illegal and criminal organisations are making billions. The European Union has therefore decided to limit waste exports and encourage recycling across Europe.

An alarming case of illicit household waste trafficking is well remembered as the "Italian waste" affair. The facts date back to 2020. Nearly 300 containers full of waste arrived at the port of Sousse, in Tunisia. Civil society played a crucial role in obtaining the return of much of the waste to Italy, and a number of judicial sentences on both shores of the Mediterranean.

Houssem Hamdi, is at the forefront of efforts to ensure such incidents are never repeated. He is the founder of an association promoting recycling in Tunis. He's one of the whistleblowers of the Tunisie Verte network, which has fought to have waste sent back to Europe. "It was a sacred evening," Houssem recalls. "A small victory for Tunisia, for Africa and for all good environmentalists. It was also a way of sending the message to the other countries on the southern shore, that it can be done. We're talking about a network of what is known as the eco-mafia, which also involved companies, politicians and so on. I'm sure it's the tree that hides the forest." he says.

Many grey areas remain in relation to this case, and illegal waste trafficking is still going on. This year, Italian customs seized another 82 tonnes of waste on en route to Tunisia.

Maidi Karbai, a former member