Irresponsible Korea: Waste in the Philippines

Article Written By: Sungwoo Choi

Substantial amount of garbage in the Philippines

The International Environmental Organization Greenpeace released images of 6,500

tons of plastic waste abandoned in the Philippines. A Korean recycling company have

camouflaged those plastic wastes as “recycled waste materials” which were illegally exported to the foreign country. According to Greenpeace, the waste smuggled into the Philippines on July 21st. Some 5100 tons of waste are still lying on a landfill site of Verde Soko Phill not far away from Manilla. The remaining 1400 tons of wastes were impounded and kept in containers near the port. Huge problems could occur due to the South Korean waste that we have abandoned in the foreign country. Swept away by rain and winds, the waste pollutes soil and water and threatens the health of local residents.

The environmental ministry said that "This is an illegal action by a Korean waste

exporter. We will take legal action to make sure that the exporter solves the problem.” This is the first time that such a vast amount of waste which have been illegally exported to the Philippine was broadcasted to the people of South Korea. Citizens of South Korea should understand that this issue cannot be simply dismissed.

Bibliography (MLA 8 FORMAT):

Website Citations:

Website 1:

Herald, Korean. “S. Korea to Take Back Garbage from Philippines.” The Korea Herald, 3 Jan. 2019, www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190103000716.

Photo Citations:

Photo 1: Rivas, Ralf. “Garbage from Korea More Manageable than Canada Case – DENR.” Rappler, 13 Nov. 2018, 3:25PM, www.rappler.com/nation/216584-garbage-from-korea-more-manageable-than-canada.