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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Sandra Laville

UK can create 5,400 jobs if it stops plastic waste exports, report finds

Loose plastic at the Lampton 360 recycling centre in London.
Loose plastic at the Lampton 360 recycling centre in London. The UK currently exports about 600,000 tonnes of plastic waste a year. Photograph: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

The UK could end its reliance on exporting plastic waste by 2030 to support the creation of 5,400 new jobs and take responsibility for the environmental impact of its waste, according to research.

The report said up to 15 new recycling facilities could be built by the end of the decade, attracting more than £800m of private investment. The increase in capacity would help generate almost £900m of economic value every year, providing at least £100m in new tax revenues annually.

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