Containers that were shipped to Brazil for the purposes of recycling have been sent back to the United Kingdom after it was discovered the containers had illegal contents. Meat, soiled diapers, household rubbish, and used underwear were among the items found in the containers which were meant to only contain recyclable materials. Three men have thus far been arrested in an ongoing investigation which aims to uncover the source of the rubbish, and who made the decision to ship it off to Brazil.
Authorities from the Environment Agency in the United Kingdom are currently in the process of opening at least ninety containers of rubbish that were sent back to the UK after authorities in Brazil claimed that they the containers were full of waste, some of which was dangerous medical waste. The items that were allegedly in the containers would be illegal under laws which prevent countries from shipping certain types of waste to other countries.
The investigation started when it was discovered that some of the containers were meant to have mixed plastics, which are currently illegal to ship to other countries for recycling. The team from the Environmental Agency has already opened a number of containers only to find items like toys, pants, socks, cat food, used shoes and boots, and in some cases, rotten meat.
The investigation will continue for an additional six to eight weeks as authorities sort through the bales of waste and rubbish to determine just how many laws were broke and the extent of the problem. Spokesmen for the Environmental Agency are taking this matter seriously as shipping waste to developing countries is illegal.
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