IMPORTED SCRAP Discarded electronic materials are stored inside a warehouse at the Subic Bay Freeport. The imports sparked debate over their legality. —PHOTO COURTESY OF BASEL ACTION NETWORK
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — An environmental coalition has warned that alleged shipments of electronic waste (e-waste) from the United States to this free port could violate the Philippines’ obligations under the Basel Convention by exploiting a legal loophole covering recyclable materials.
The Environmental Task Force Against Illegal E-Waste Imports to the Philippines (END E-WASTE IMPORTS) said the transfer of waste from nonparties to parties to the convention violates international law and could encourage similar shipments to other developing countries.
The statement came days after Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority officer in charge senior deputy administrator for the Regulatory Group and Deputy Administrator for Public Health Amethya dela Llana denied allegations that the free port was being used as a dumping ground for toxic waste, saying the imported materials were “raw materials for recycling and processing, not for dumping.”
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