Nigeria and 23 other non-members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development submitted requests to the European Commission on Monday to be included in the list of countries that are permitted to import non-hazardous waste from the EU.
Non-hazardous garbage, which makes up 95.6% of the solid waste generated in Europe, comprises demolition materials like concrete, bricks, and stones, as well as food waste and municipal rubbish including packaging, clothes, bottles, and plastics.
The request was made following the recently implemented Waste Shipments Regulation, which was a component of the EU’s Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, according to a statement released.
Stricter guidelines for waste shipment, including imports and exports between the EU and non-OECD nations, are the goal of the law. The complete prohibition of plastic trash exports from the EU by November 2026 is one important step.
Countries applying for eligibility to import non-hazardous waste must demonstrate their ability to manage these materials in an environmentally sound manner, with conditions that meet or exceed those of the EU.
The European Commission requires detailed information from the applicants to assess their readiness for this responsibility.
In addition to Nigeria, the following nations have made requests: Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, North Macedonia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, and Vietnam.
“By that date, 24 requests were received for inclusion on the list of countries eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the EU after 21 May 2027 from Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Nigeria, North-Macedonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan1, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine and Vietnam,” the EC said.
READ ALSO: Report Links Ex-Nigerian NSA to $1M Luxury Horse Farm in US
The Commission will evaluate these applications and prepare a list of approved countries by November 2026. From May 2027 onwards, any country not included in this list will be prohibited from importing waste from the EU.
However, countries that missed the February 2025 deadline can still submit requests, although there is no guarantee their assessment will be finalised before the first list is adopted.
“The first list of countries authorised to receive waste from the EU will be established by 21 November 2026. Exports of waste to non-OECD countries that are not included in the list will be prohibited from 21 May 2027. This list will be updated regularly and at least every two years.
“Countries that have not submitted a request by 21 February 2025 can still send one to the Commission. These requests will still be considered, but there is no guarantee that their assessment will be finalised before establishing the first list of countries authorised to import waste from the EU. This first list is planned for adoption in November 2026,” the statement concluded.
