US refuses Taiwan's toxic waste ship
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.FORMOSA PLASTICS Corp, the Taiwan petrochemical giant, said yesterday it was taking back mercury-laced industrial waste that was dumped in Cambodia late last year, but insisted it would be sent overseas.
Lee Chih-tsun, president of Formosa, said the waste would be temporarily returned to Taiwan, where it originated, but would not even pass the island's customs.
After plans to ship the waste to the United States fell through, Mr Lee said yesterday, "We have no intention to keep the stuff here [in Taiwan]. "We want to ship it to an advanced country, preferably the US."
Formosa had arranged for Safety-Kleen Corp, a US contractor, to send the waste for disposal in a dump at Westmorland in southern California. Mr Lee said the plan fell through after environmentalists persuaded the US Environmental Protection Agency to revoke a dumping permit for the 5,000 tonnes of waste.
Mok Mareth, the Cambodian environment minister, said, "All I want is for the waste to be shipped out of Cambodia." Several people died in riots after the waste was discovered in December near the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville.
The Cambodian firm that brought the waste from Taiwan is alleged to have colluded with local officials to allow the import.Several officials have been arrested. Formosa has denied any wrongdoing. (Reuters)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments