25k kilos of e-waste shipped to PHL on the way back to HK

The 25,000 kilos of electronic waste  (e-waste) that were shipped in the Philippines are already on its way back to Hong Kong on Monday, according to a report of Rida Reyes on GMA News TV’s Balitanghali.

On January 2, the shipment from Hong Kong arrived at Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT) in Misamis Oriental and was declared as electronic accessories.

Personnel from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) witnessed the loading of the 25,000 kilos of trash on a 40 feet container van.

The e-waste shipment was composed of crushed pieces of electronic gadgets and computer parts which are considered to be hazardous waste.

The BOC said the return of the waste shipment is considered a victory. The bureau also said the coordination between the two governments had been swift in processing the re-exportation.

Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition said the Philippines already has too much problems with waste to receive more trash from other countries.

With the consecutive returns of waste shipments to different countries recently, the BOC hopes that it made the message clear to other countries that the Philippines is not a dumpsite for their trash.

“Sabi po DENR, itinutulak nila ang moratorium na magbabawal sa pag-aangkat ng anumang klase ng waste material sa Pilipinas,” MICT port collector John Simon said. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News