“8 of 10 rivers most polluting oceans with plastics are in Asia” these and other facts which shaped perception to think that Western countries already are a way ahead in sustainable development. But recent global waste management crisis is shifting this perception. China has been the world’s waste destination for a few decades, as the country was importing large quantities of waste to have cheap raw materials for global manufacturing. For wealthy countries to send their waste to Asia was cheaper than to recycle it at home, but now times have changed. The ban’s objective for China is to promote the circular economy, develop a better waste recycling system at home and improve citizens’ health.

Since the implementation of new policies on waste import to China, the waste crisis has shifted to other countries in Southeast Asia, causing enormous damage there because these new places cannot recycle all of the waste being imported. However, these countries are following China’s example limiting waste imports and returning unrecyclable waste to exporting countries.

This whole situation pressured developed countries to rethink their consumption, dependency on single-use items and their waste management systems. Governments worldwide understand that they need to cut the production of waste in general and introduce new agendas on companies and the public. Consumers demand brands to take full responsibility for their products, from design to disposal.