102 containers carrying an estimated 2,100 tonnes of suspected hazardous waste will be returned on October 27 to the Albanian port of Durres, international watchdog group Basel Action Network (BAN) reported.

The containers, believed to contain toxic steel furnace dust, were initially sent from Albania to Thailand but were rejected by Thai authorities after being flagged by BAN.

The containers had travelled from Albania to Trieste, Italy, before being loaded onto ships headed for Southeast Asia. BAN, alerted by a whistleblower, warned Albania and the countries involved about the hazardous nature of the shipment. As a result, Thailand refused to accept the waste, prompting the shipping companies Maersk and MSC to agree to return the containers to Albania.

BAN's executive director, Jim Puckett, emphasised the importance of transparency in handling the return: "We are calling on Albania to break the container seals in full public view and in the presence of independent groups such as BAN, followed by the taking of split samples that can be analysed at different labs in parallel." He added, "Only open, transparent sampling and testing of the contents will provide the public with confidence in the results and the nature of these shipments."

BAN has outlined a 10-step protocol for Albania, which includes public sampling and testing of the waste. The results from the tests will determine whether the materials are hazardous, and if so, they will need to be managed according to strict waste disposal guidelines.

Puckett also raised concerns about past handling of toxic waste in Durres, stating, "It is important that this matter is not swept under the carpet. We are concerned about the improper handling of this waste in the port of Durres, in the past, presently, and in the future."

The shipment is expected to arrive at the Albanian port via Gioia Tauro, Italy, after being held in Turkey's Asyaport.

On September 12, Prime Minister Edi Rama faced parliamentary questioning over allegations of hazardous waste exports. The opposition Democratic Party's Gazment Bardhi demanded details on how the waste entered Albania and the government's role in the export.

Rama denied any government authorization for the waste shipment and stated that investigations were ongoing. Albania’s Customs Directorate claimed the waste was part of a transit from Kosovo, while steelmaker Kurum International, initially suspected of being the source, denied involvement.