The issue of plastic pollution has now reached the international spotlight, with Canada being one of the countries to blame for this environmental disaster (Bergmann et al., 2022, p. 5). In recent years, Canada has drawn criticism over its garbage export program, which has incited discussions on whether Canada should keep this issue on its agenda or let it go. This question of relevance is based on its environmental, economic, and ethical considerations where (Liboiron & Lepawsky, 2022, p. 16). Supporters of the proposal to export waste to other countries claim that this action helps manage such waste that might be imported into Canada and makes it a part of Canadian landfills, contributing to the domestic waste management system. In this regard, they touch upon the economic advantages for the waste management companies in home countries and reject countries created by recycling and repurposing.
On the one hand, critics raise concerns that exported e-waste aggravates environmental degradation in developing countries, harbours health risks for the natives, and is in direct conflict with the concepts of sustainable waste management (Xavier et al., 2021, p. 115). They aspire to enforce stricter regulations and promote both reinforced infrastructure for recovery and proper handling of waste within the borders. As a result, Canada must abolish the manner of sending its waste abroad for the sake of saving the environment. Still, it should pay attention to the unity of the environment-friendly practices of waste management and the policy on eco-friendliness.
The principal consideration raised to support Canada’s custom of sending its waste overseas is that it restrains the pressure on domestic landfills and disposal facilities. For example, the advocates of such an industry claim it is a modern answer to the old problem of waste spillage. However, this argument must account for the environmental and ethical concerns regarding moving garbage outside the country. Leclerc and Badami (2020, p. 79) argue that Extended Producer Responsibility EPR programs have constraints that the waste sent out of Quebec was used to justify. While the EPR programs put responsibility for waste management on the shoulders of the waste producers rather than consumers, in most of the scenarios, they have never clarified the issue entirely concerning the disposal problem at the end-of-life of the waste, and result in the waste export to other countries (Leclerc & Badami, 2020, p. 126). In addition, dispatching waste to third-world countries can imply environmental damage and health risks for the local communities of the countries. The tale of Bergmann et al. (2022, p. 4) proved that Arctic plastic pollution plays the leading role, and actually, it comes from the toss-about of global waste. Finally, as the facts show, it affects sea environments and animals. The fact that this underscores the interdependent character of waste treatment techniques and more durable alternatives reflects the picture that the world needs. Accordingly, the waste, even though it may be a temporary solution to waste management, is not a sustainable, long-lasting one that may help to create environmental and public health problems.
For another reason, specifically, the possibility of developing an economic incentive for waste management companies and the recipient country is cited as supporting the Canadian practice of exporting our waste. In this process, proponents believe that flowing waste into recipient countries creates employment opportunities and stimulates the economy. On the contrary, this point of view underestimates the whole economic structure and sidelines the questions about the future of the same practices. A study by Xavier et al. (2021, p. 88) shows that monitoring e-waste in the Americas regions, including Brazil and Canada, is a real problem. The research also focuses on creating a circular economy model of e-waste management, which stresses the reduction, reuse, and recycling of electronics. This method, along with the development of domestic industries for recycling, can reduce the need to ship the waste to other countries. This approach demonstrates a high level of economic viability. Economic benefits that stem from exporting waste are usually fleeting as they may get overpowered by long-term concerns concerning the environment and health. Research by Degenstein et al. (2021, p. 586) stresses the influence of clothing conditions on disposal and end-of-life extension, therefore indicating a complex management pattern and calling for better practices. Hence, if waste is moved from one country to another, it may give some temporary income for some minutes; however, it is not a long-term solution that can be destructive to the environment and economy to some extent.
One more aspect of support for Canada’s decision to send its garbage to the other world is the ability to extend recycling and reuse ideas in the countries receiving the trash, which may be helpful for the local economy. Even though this accomplishes its purpose of eliminating the waste generated, it addresses the root problem of wasteful waste management practices. As indicated by Vaneeckhaute and Fazli (2020, p. 15), the garbage generated by the ships and sewage on the Baltic Sea has several management problems. The main reason for the appearance of such issues is that waste management practices need to be improved. This reduces to merely shifting the problems without providing a solution because exporting waste to other countries is not a sustainable solution. Furthermore, the economic impact of exporting waste is often temporary. At the same time, the long-term consequence can be the severe environmental damage and health risks that will be the trade-off. Thapa et al. (2022, p. 55) discourse about waste transboundary and how it should be contextualized for a broader frame that looks at Waste management practices and their environmental and social effects. Hence, the export of waste might award economic benefits in the short term. Nevertheless, that is a short-abbreviated view of the problem, and alongside the one, the final trends have negative aftertastes for nature and the economy.
In summary, the debate on whether Canada should stop exporting its trash and garbage abroad is intricate. Both sides argue on environmental, economic, and ethical grounds. However, though supporters can claim that waste disposal through exportation helps contain the rising volume of garbage and, therefore, brings economic benefits, this practice will only be possible in the present. Further, it is evidenced in this essay that waste exports may result in the erosion of the environment, health problems amongst the locals and economic challenges. Additionally, relying on exporting waste from countries to handle waste streams distracts from developing more sustainable domestic practices for managing waste. In tackling this problem, Canada should first focus on establishing local recycling infrastructure and enforcing stricter regulations regarding shipments of solid waste abroad while embracing a circular economy approach to dealing with solid waste.
References
Bergmann, M., Collard, F., Fabres, J., Gabrielsen, G. W., Provencher, J. F., Rochman, C. M., van Sebille, E., & Tekman, M. B. (2022). Plastic Pollution in the Arctic. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 3, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-022-00279-8
Degenstein, L. M., McQueen, R. H., McNeill, L. S., Hamlin, R. P., Wakes, S. J., & Dunn, L. A. (2020). Impact of physical condition on disposal and end‐of‐life extension of clothing. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 44(6), 586–596. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12590
Leclerc, S. H., & Badami, M. G. (2020). Extended producer responsibility for E-waste management: Policy drivers and challenges. Journal of Cleaner Production, 251, 119657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119657
Liboiron, M., & Lepawsky, J. (2022). Discard Studies: Wasting, Systems, and Power. In Google Books. MIT Press. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=frxNEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=7.%09Basing+your+argument+on+evidence+from+research
Thapa, K., Vermeulen, W. J., Deutz, P., & Olayide, O. (2022). Transboundary movement of waste review: From binary towards a contextual framing. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 0734242X2211054. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242×221105424
Vaneeckhaute, C., & Fazli, A. (2020). Management of ship-generated food waste and sewage on the Baltic Sea: A review. Waste Management, 102, 12–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.10.030
Xavier, L. H., Ottoni, M., & Lepawsky, J. (2021). Circular economy and e-waste management in the Americas: Brazilian and Canadian frameworks. Journal of Cleaner Production, 297, 126570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126570
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