Canada to take back tons of garbage shipped to Philippines following threats

The government of Canada has agreed to take back tons of garbage that was shipped to the Philippines in 2013 and 2014 that were incorrectly classified as recyclable plastics, CNN reports.

In total, Canada shipped 103 containers that contained 2,450 tons of waste, including things like diapers and newspapers.  

Canada has hired a private shipping company, Bolloré Logistics Canada, to handle the transport before the end of June.

The waste has long been a point of contention between the two countries. Despite a 2016 court ruling that stipulated the Canadian company responsible for shipping the waste, Chronic Plastics Inc., had to take the waste back from the Philippine ports of Manila and Subic, the issue has remained unresolved.  

Canada had already agreed to collect the waste by a May 15 deadline established by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, but when the issue still wasn’t resolved, Duterte recalled his ambassador to the country and resolved to ship the waste back.

"If Canada will not accept their trash, we will leave the same within its territorial waters or 12 nautical miles out to sea from the baseline of any of their country's shores," Duterte's spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

In April, Duterte announced that the country would “declare war against [Canada]” if the issue wasn’t resolved.

Canada’s Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said in a May 22 statement that Canada will cover the cost of transporting the waste.

“The [shipping] company will begin preparation for shipping in the coming days. The removal will be complete by the end of June, as the waste must be safely treated to meet Canadian safety and health requirements. The safe and environmentally sound disposal in Canada of the waste material will take place before the end of summer 2019. The costs associated with the preparation, transfer, shipment and disposal of the waste will be assumed by the government of Canada,” the statement read.