TamilSri Lanka returns 3,000 tonnes of garbage to UK
22 February 2022, 12:31 pm
Authorities transport containers of garbage to be returned to Britain after authorities refused to process the illegally imported hazardous cargo, in Colombo on February 21, 2022. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP) (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)
Sri Lanka shipped out to Britain on Monday the last of several hundred containers filled with thousands of tonnes of illegally imported waste, officials said.
Several Asian countries have in recent years been pushing back against an onslaught of refuse from wealthier nations and have started turning back unwanted shipments.
The waste from Britain arrived in Sri Lanka between 2017 and 2019 and was listed as used mattresses, carpets and rugs.
But in reality it also contained biowaste from hospitals, including body parts from mortuaries, according to customs officials.
The containers were not chilled and some of them gave off a powerful stench.
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