42 containers of contaminated plastic waste are being repatriated to the UK from Malaysia, once here they will be investigated by Environment Agency officers. An announcement was made by Malaysian authorities in May regarding the repatriation of 120 containers of plastic waste back to their countries of origin, countries embroiled in the alleged illegal waste exports included the US, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, Bangladesh, the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain and France.

A formal request to return the containers back to the UK wasn’t received until much later this summer, the EA revealed this week that 42 containers are being repatriated from Penang Port.

An EA spokesperson said: “The UK is committed to tackling illegal waste exports, which is why individuals found to be exporting incorrectly described waste can face a two-year jail term or an unlimited fine.

“While we have not received a formal request for information from the Indonesian authorities, we have received a request from the Malaysian authorities to repatriate 42 containers of plastic from Penang Port. We’re taking steps to ensure that this waste is safely returned and working closely with the Malaysian authorities to investigate and ensure we strengthen our joint working to tackle illegal exports.”