Luxembourg reportedly exports approximately 40 tonnes (t) of plastic waste each year to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, primarily to Italy and neighbouring countries.

This practice is in compliance with EU policies that restrict the export of such waste to non-OECD nations due to the risk of it being improperly disposed of or incinerated instead of being recycled.  

Luxembourg engages in both recycling and waste collection while also exporting a part of its collected plastic waste, reported RTL TODAY.

This exported waste is sourced from domestic recycling centres and is shipped to other countries for recycling purposes.

Among the three waste recipient countries, Italy receives the largest share, with 17t.

The information was disclosed by Luxembourg Environment Minister Serge Wilmes in response to a parliamentary question from Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party members Claire Delcourt and Mars Di Bartolomeo.

Throughout the year, approximately 14,000t of plastic packaging waste is collected through the country's Valorlux system, amounting to an average of 21kg per resident, based on the total volume of packaging waste.

Last month, the OECD revealed a report stating that global policies covering the entire plastics life cycle could reduce plastic leakage into the environment by 96% by 2040.

By adopting a mix of policies, including improving waste management, recycling, and reducing plastic use, countries can achieve major environmental and economic benefits over less balanced strategies.