EU Waste Management Challenges: A Case Study of Phaten Plastic Recycling

This paper examines the dynamics of EU Environmental policy enforcement and the issue of ensuring compliance from foreign companies operating in the EU's waste management sector. The analysis will discuss the impact of China's 2017 ban on importing plastic waste for the EU, particularly looking at its implications for the EU waste management sector. The paper will suggest that China's ban ultimately dismantled the EU waste management framework, forcing it to begin treating low-quality plastics domestically. Through highlighting inconsistencies in the EU's environmental regulations, the study will suggest that the current domestic treatment of low-quality plastics in the EU has triggered instances of environmental and health damage to vulnerable local communities. The case study of Phaten Plastic recycling will underscore a critical instance of non-compliance to EU Environmental standards, yet this will serve to outline regulatory issues with ensuring that waste management companies comply with the EU’s environmental regulations. The paper will ultimately advocate for the need of a more robust EU accountability framework, in order to deter waste management companies from causing environmental damage to local environments and communities and adhere to Eu environmental standards.