The federal government says all legal options are on the table to get the company at the centre of the Philippines garbage dispute to take responsibility — but experts say Canada shares some of the blame.
Ottawa is spending $1.14 million to bring dozens of cargo containers filled with garbage and contaminated recyclables back from the Philippines to Canada for disposal.
After six years of negotiations, 69 shipping containers filled with rotting Canadian garbage were loaded onto a container ship yesterday and are now heading back to Vancouver.
“Part of the solution around this is making sure we hold the companies responsible if they’re illegally exporting waste to other countries,” said Environment Minister Catherine McKenna Thursday.
“The reality is developing countries no longer want to take plastic pollution or waste from developed countries and that’s exactly why we have a zero-plastic waste strategy. That’s why we’re going to be announcing different measures soon.”
Her department is staying tight-lipped on what those legal steps might look like.
“I cannot provide more information regarding potential legal recourse except that all possible options to encourage accountability by the exporter are being pursued,” said Environment Canada spokesperson Sabrina Kim in an email to CBC.
So, who should ultimately bear the cost of returning and disposing of the trash?
“It’s a great question that has a complex answer,” said Myra Hird, a professor in environmental studies at Queen’s University.
“The simplest thing is that, yes, industry is responsible. The waste management and recycling industries are responsible.
“But the Canadian government has fallen here because they haven’t taken the necessary steps to control industry in our best interests, and that’s because the Canadian government is dependent upon the waste management industry to handle our waste.”