Local corrupt Chinese officials in small cities in Southern China used to disguise import of British wastes and hazardous electronic rejects as genuine British "goods". They managed to set up chop shops to dismantle the electronics, namely old computers, monitors and TVs, and in the process, created toxic wastes that contaminated the waterways of Southern China. Besides endangering the environment, the toxic wastes also endangered the poorly paid and ignorant workers. So called developed nations like USA, Canada, UK and Europe tend to send their wastes overseas to countries like China, India, Nigeria and other parts of the African continent. Hey, white folks need to live and breathe the clean air...the others can endure the the filth! Yah? Not the Brazilians. They caught the British trying to dump their dirt in their country.
Brazil returns hazardous UK waste
Brazilian environmental officers inspect one of the containers. Sending toxic waste abroad is illegal under international lawQuote:
Around 1,500 tons of hazardous waste which arrived in Brazil from the UK labelled as recyclable plastic is on its way back, authorities have said.
The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources said the cargo included used syringes, condoms and dirty nappies.
Three British men have been arrested over alleged illegal shipments.
Officers from the Environment Agency and Wiltshire Police raided three properties in Swindon in July.
Three men, aged 24, 28 and 49, were bailed until the end of October.
Formally complain
The Institute said 81 containers arrived between February and May 2009 at Brazilian ports.
It added that they were labelled recyclable plastic, but had been packed with domestic and hospital waste.
They were sent back towards the UK from the port of Santos on Wednesday.
The Environment Agency said it would investigate their contents before disposing of them safely.
Brazil's government said it would formally complain to the World Trade Organisation over the deliveries.
Under the Basel Convention, shipments of toxic waste from industrialised nations are banned, officials said.
Waste can be exported for recycling, but it is illegal to send it abroad for disposal.
The maximum penalty for doing so is an unlimited fine or up to two years in jail.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8187081.stm
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