UK plastics recycling under investigation for fraud and corruption

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Six UK plastic waste exporters have had their licences suspended or cancelled in the past three months, with the government setting up an investigation into “widespread” abuse. The Guardian reports that the UK is about to be banned from exporting packaging waste, amid claims that organised criminals and firms have been abusing the system. Complaints range from falsely claiming for waste that does not exist, waste not being recycled and left to leak into rivers and oceans, illegal shipments being routed via the Netherlands to the Far East and UK repeat offenders not having their licences stripped.