Philippines demands Canada repatriate Vancouver garbage

[baby milk from China]

A small mountain of Vancouver garbage rotting on the Manila waterfront has morphed into a diplomatic row as Philippine authorities demand Canada repatriate its "junk.



"I will not tolerate this matter sitting down," said Leah Paquiz, a member of the Philippine House of Representatives, in a statement last week.



"Pick up your garbage Canada, and show us the decency that we so rightfully deserve as a nation. My motherland is not a garbage bin of Canada," she said.



Philippine Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has called for an official government inquiry into the Canadian garbage, the country's Bureau of Customs has threatened legal action, and of late the issue has made Canada a prime target of Philippine environmental groups.



"Canada pick up your garbage!!! reads a 25,000-signature petition demanding Ottawa's immediate "re-export" of the trash. "Philippines is NOT a dumping soil of Canadian garbage!"



The saga began last February when the Philippine Bureau of Customs inspected a batch of 50 Canadian shipping containers declared to contain "scrap plastic materials for recycling," and instead found them packed with household garbage, soggy paper and even used adult diapers.



Declaring the shipment "junk materials [that] could pose biohazard risks," officials impounded the shipment at Manila International Container Terminal.



Noting that he had exported similar shipments without incident, the exporter said he suspected he was being punished for failing to furnish a payoff.



As of mid-October, Chronic Inc. had not removed the containers and appears to have no plans to do so.



Meanwhile, after months of curdling in the tropical Manila weather, the shipment's contents are reportedly in the later stages of decomposition, and have begun to leak "garbage juice."



According to the estimates of one Philippine political party, they have cost the government more than $1.5-million in storage fees to date at the crowded container terminal.



"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this unabashed attempt to dump hazardous waste misrepresented as recyclable plastics into our country," Romy Hidalgo with the Manila-based EcoWaste Coalition told the Philippine Daily Enquirer on Tuesday in the one of dozens of Philippine news stories published about the garbage fiasco.



The Philippines contends that the containers are a violation of the Basel Convention, a United Nations treaty on hazardous wastes.

Under that treaty — of which Canada is a signatory — countries are obligated to repatriate any "illegal traffic" intercepted overseas.



The garbage uproar appears to have come as a surprise to Canada's Philippine diplomats. As early as April, ambassador Neil Reeder was telling the local press, "We don't want this to be a stain on our very, very good relationship."



Nevertheless, according to Canadian foreign officials, their hands remain tied about shuffling the rotting shipment back across the Pacific.



"Currently there are no domestic laws which the Government of Canada could apply to compel the shipper to return his containers to Canada," the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade told the National Post by email.



"The Government of Canada is working with the shipper and the Government of the Philippines to find a solution to this waste shipment in the Philippines, in accordance with our two countries' respective regulations and legislative frameworks."



Last week, Greenpeace's Philippine office released what it called a "damning exposé" —  a leaked letter from the country's Department of Environment showing that Canada and the Philippines were working to have the waste disposed "locally in a landfill."



This is controversial among members of Philippine eco-circles, who maintain the trash should be removed from the country's borders.



"This government proposal sends a signal to unscrupulous and illegal waste traders to ship their unwanted junk to the Philippines," said Von Hernandez, director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia in a statement last week. "There can be no compromises here — this garbage shipment must be sent back to Canada, its country of origin."



National Post



The containers, packed with waste sourced from the Vancouver area, were sent by Chronic Inc., a Whitby, Ont.-based plastics exporter owned by Jim Makris.



The telephone numbers for the company appear to have been disconnected, but in February, Mr. Makris spoke to the Toronto Star by phone about the Philippine seizure.



"It's the stupidest thing I've heard of in my entire life," he said, adding that "anyone with a brain" would know it is cheaper to dump garbage in Canada than ship it across the Pacific Ocean.

[baby milk from China]

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[Anonymous]

A small mountain of Vancouver garbage rotting on the Manila waterfront has morphed into a diplomatic row as Philippine authorities demand Canada repatriate its "junk.



"I will not tolerate this matter sitting down," said Leah Paquiz, a member of the Philippine House of Representatives, in a statement last week.



"Pick up your garbage Canada, and show us the decency that we so rightfully deserve as a nation. My motherland is not a garbage bin of Canada," she said.



Philippine Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has called for an official government inquiry into the Canadian garbage, the country's Bureau of Customs has threatened legal action, and of late the issue has made Canada a prime target of Philippine environmental groups.



"Canada pick up your garbage!!! reads a 25,000-signature petition demanding Ottawa's immediate "re-export" of the trash. "Philippines is NOT a dumping soil of Canadian garbage!"



The saga began last February when the Philippine Bureau of Customs inspected a batch of 50 Canadian shipping containers declared to contain "scrap plastic materials for recycling," and instead found them packed with household garbage, soggy paper and even used adult diapers.



Declaring the shipment "junk materials [that] could pose biohazard risks," officials impounded the shipment at Manila International Container Terminal.



Noting that he had exported similar shipments without incident, the exporter said he suspected he was being punished for failing to furnish a payoff.



As of mid-October, Chronic Inc. had not removed the containers and appears to have no plans to do so.



Meanwhile, after months of curdling in the tropical Manila weather, the shipment's contents are reportedly in the later stages of decomposition, and have begun to leak "garbage juice."



According to the estimates of one Philippine political party, they have cost the government more than $1.5-million in storage fees to date at the crowded container terminal.



"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this unabashed attempt to dump hazardous waste misrepresented as recyclable plastics into our country," Romy Hidalgo with the Manila-based EcoWaste Coalition told the Philippine Daily Enquirer on Tuesday in the one of dozens of Philippine news stories published about the garbage fiasco.



The Philippines contends that the containers are a violation of the Basel Convention, a United Nations treaty on hazardous wastes.

Under that treaty — of which Canada is a signatory — countries are obligated to repatriate any "illegal traffic" intercepted overseas.



The garbage uproar appears to have come as a surprise to Canada's Philippine diplomats. As early as April, ambassador Neil Reeder was telling the local press, "We don't want this to be a stain on our very, very good relationship."



Nevertheless, according to Canadian foreign officials, their hands remain tied about shuffling the rotting shipment back across the Pacific.



"Currently there are no domestic laws which the Government of Canada could apply to compel the shipper to return his containers to Canada," the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade told the National Post by email.



"The Government of Canada is working with the shipper and the Government of the Philippines to find a solution to this waste shipment in the Philippines, in accordance with our two countries' respective regulations and legislative frameworks."



Last week, Greenpeace's Philippine office released what it called a "damning exposé" —  a leaked letter from the country's Department of Environment showing that Canada and the Philippines were working to have the waste disposed "locally in a landfill."



This is controversial among members of Philippine eco-circles, who maintain the trash should be removed from the country's borders.



"This government proposal sends a signal to unscrupulous and illegal waste traders to ship their unwanted junk to the Philippines," said Von Hernandez, director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia in a statement last week. "There can be no compromises here — this garbage shipment must be sent back to Canada, its country of origin."



National Post



The containers, packed with waste sourced from the Vancouver area, were sent by Chronic Inc., a Whitby, Ont.-based plastics exporter owned by Jim Makris.



The telephone numbers for the company appear to have been disconnected, but in February, Mr. Makris spoke to the Toronto Star by phone about the Philippine seizure.



"It's the stupidest thing I've heard of in my entire life," he said, adding that "anyone with a brain" would know it is cheaper to dump garbage in Canada than ship it across the Pacific Ocean.

Haha, is this part of Vancouver's Greenest City 2020 Action Plan? Export all their pollution/garbage/hazardous waste to third world countries so the mocha latte crowd will have the satisfaction of knowing "it's gone"?  ac_toofunny  ac_tongue

[Romero]

You don't seriously believe the City of Vancouver sent over that garbage? It's quite obviously a private company shrugging off its responsibility. The City of Vancouver would have insisted that the waste be properly taken care of. But those mean ol' regulations are bad for business, remember?

Last week, Greenpeace's Philippine office released what it called a "damning exposé" —  a leaked letter from the country's Department of Environment showing that Canada and the Philippines were working to have the waste disposed "locally in a landfill."

Thanks again, Greenpeace!

[Anonymous]

It was S-A-T-I-R-E!!



Actually though, the city of Vancouver is not as green as they like to pretend to gullible sheep. Then again, neither is the Greenpeace Corporation.

[Obvious Li]

the philipines send us enough garbage.....only fair we return the favor....

[Anonymous]

the philipines send us enough garbage.....only fair we return the favor....

bada bing bad boy!! ac_dance

[Obvious Li]

the philipines send us enough garbage.....only fair we return the favor....

bada bing bad boy!! ac_dance

sometimes i cain't hep myself...... ac_wub

[Anonymous]

the philipines send us enough garbage.....only fair we return the favor....

bada bing bad boy!! ac_dance

sometimes i cain't hep myself...... ac_wub

Yeah, I know and that's why I love ya. ac_lovestruck

[@realAzhyaAryola]

I can't help myself too. I imagine one day, Obvious Li will open his eyes from a nap and a Filipina nurse will be right there beside him. He'll open his mouth as she brings his sippy cup closer to him.

[Anonymous]

I can't help myself too. I imagine one day, Obvious Li will open his eyes from a nap and a Filipina nurse will be right there beside him. He'll open his mouth as she brings his sippy cup closer to him.

Good morning Azhya..

 ac_smile

When my father in law was in palliative care the Filipina nurse that looked after him was excellent..



She was very compassionate and professional.

[Gary Oak]

I can't help myself too. I imagine one day, Obvious Li will open his eyes from a nap and a Filipina nurse will be right there beside him. He'll open his mouth as she brings his sippy cup closer to him.

Filipinos are great immigrants and they don't hate Canadians unlike the Chinese Canadiscammers.

[Anonymous]

I can't help myself too. I imagine one day, Obvious Li will open his eyes from a nap and a Filipina nurse will be right there beside him. He'll open his mouth as she brings his sippy cup closer to him.

Azhya,



I am pretty sure OL meant that tongue in cheek. Kinda like Renee with the dog eating teasing. All in good fun.



BTW, I really like the new feisty Azhya. We have a lot in common. You go girl!! ac_drinks

[Obvious Li]

I can't help myself too. I imagine one day, Obvious Li will open his eyes from a nap and a Filipina nurse will be right there beside him. He'll open his mouth as she brings his sippy cup closer to him.

asia....relax....it was a soft ball pitch and i hit it outta the park...couldn't help myself.....if you have read any of my posts over the last 10 years plus you would know where i stand regarding asia, asians and immigration of same....no further explanation required.........and yes, some cute Filippina nurse can give me a sponge bath and a massage anytime........or even a sippy cup at a no hands bar.......  ac_umm  ac_dance



i love the dance guy

[Anonymous]

I can't help myself too. I imagine one day, Obvious Li will open his eyes from a nap and a Filipina nurse will be right there beside him. He'll open his mouth as she brings his sippy cup closer to him.

asia....relax....it was a soft ball pitch and i hit it outta the park...couldn't help myself.....if you have read any of my posts over the last 10 years plus you would know where i stand regarding asia, asians and immigration of same....no further explanation required.........and yes, some cute Filippina nurse can give me a sponge bath and a massage anytime........or even a sippy cup at a no hands bar.......  ac_umm  ac_dance



i love the dance guy

Filipinos make good immigrants.