Why is The Netherlands a key player in the global plastic waste market?
Despite its small size, the Netherlands is one of the world's largest exporters of plastic waste per capita. Thanks to the port of Rotterdam and a strong trading position, the Netherlands acts as an important transit country - even for shipments with shadowy origins and destinations. A lack of enforcement makes the system vulnerable to illegal exports, with waste often ending up in countries with weak environmental regulations. This article shows how the Netherlands unintentionally contributes to global environmental pollution and why stricter rules and more responsibility are crucial.