Alexei Volkov
Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, with over 300 million tons produced annually. While many countries classify plastics as solid waste, the original classification of hazardous substances did not clearly define plastic waste. The Basel Convention, signed by 53 states and the EEC, regulates the trade of hazardous waste and mitigates toxic imports. Amendments to the treaty now include plastic within the covered wastes, with Annexes II, VIII, and IX addressing trade in plastic waste. These changes have impacted international shipments of plastic recyclables, with new categories for non-hazardous and hazardous plastic waste. The illicit trafficking of plastic and hazardous waste endangers the environment, health, and economic development, with improper management and illegal trade. The CCP assists member states in tackling these crimes through advanced training programs and inter-agency cooperation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic waste management | Outdated and threaten the health of people and wildlife |
| Plastic debris | Predicted to increase to 33 billion tons by 2050 |
| Plastic waste | Not clearly defined and covered under the original classification of hazardous substances |
| Plastic waste recycling | Faces technical, economic and structural issues |
| Plastic | Lightweight, hygienic, resistant, and does not rust or corrode |
| Plastic | Most do not biodegrade but instead photodegrade into microplastics |
| Plastic waste | Includes mixtures of waste, cured resins, and non-halogenated polymers |
| Plastic waste | Covered by three categories in the Basel Convention, including non-hazardous and hazardous waste |
| Plastic waste trade | Requires prior informed consent (PIC) for certain categories |
| Plastic waste exports | Must obtain importing country's agreement for certain categories |
| Basel Convention | Signed by 53 states and the EEC to regulate the trade of hazardous waste |
| Illicit trafficking of plastic waste | An ever-growing threat to the environment, health, and economic development |
| Plastic waste crime | Includes improper management of waste, illegal trade, and movement |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste trafficking
The primary tactic employed by traffickers is the continuous re-routing of illegal waste shipments to low-GDP countries, taking advantage of lenient or non-existent fines even if caught. This practice is exacerbated by the overuse of plastic, with only 9% to 20% of plastic waste being recycled globally, leading key waste-producing countries to ship waste abroad, particularly to developing countries in Asia and Africa. The economic incentives of the lucrative recycled plastics market, estimated at US$50.36 billion by 2022, have attracted organized criminal groups and legitimate businesses that engage in fraudulent practices to circumvent regulations. These criminal supply chains involve complex networks of brokers, recycling companies, and shipping entities.
The health and environmental consequences of plastic waste trafficking are severe. Plastics can take up to 500 years to degrade, accumulating on land and in oceans, absorbing pollutants, clogging waterways, and releasing toxic chemicals when burned. The illegal dumping and burning of plastic waste in countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia have caused enormous harm, polluting soil, water, and air, and poisoning food production.
To combat plastic waste trafficking, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. This includes improving waste management infrastructure in high-income countries, strengthening international agreements and enforcement mechanisms, and addressing the financial disparities that drive the illegal trade. Legislative measures, such as those introduced in China in 2018, are crucial, but effective transboundary enforcement is essential to prevent illegal shipments from being rerouted to neighboring countries. Additionally, reclassifying plastics as hazardous waste could spur innovation in biodegradable and eco-friendly alternatives, reducing the environmental impact of plastic production and disposal.
In summary, plastic waste trafficking is a significant global issue with detrimental environmental and health impacts. Addressing this crime requires a comprehensive approach that targets legislative loopholes, improves waste management practices, and promotes sustainable alternatives to reduce the reliance on raw plastic.
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Plastic waste recycling issues
Plastic waste recycling is a complex issue that poses significant challenges to waste management systems worldwide. While plastic recycling is often touted as a solution to the plastic pollution crisis, the reality is that recycling plastic is incredibly difficult and expensive.
One of the primary issues with plastic waste recycling is the sheer variety of plastic types. There are thousands of different types of plastics, and they cannot be melted down together. This makes sorting and processing plastic waste a costly and time-consuming endeavour. Many recycling facilities are unable to handle the volume and variety of plastic waste they receive, resulting in large quantities of plastic ending up in landfills or the ocean.
Another challenge is the degradation of plastic with each use and recycling cycle. Plastic degrades over time and through the recycling process, which can lead to a decrease in the quality and performance of the material. This means that recycled plastic often cannot be used for the same purposes as virgin plastic, limiting its potential for reuse.
The production and use of biodegradable plastics have been proposed as a potential solution to the plastic waste crisis. However, introducing biodegradable plastics without appropriate technical attributes, handling systems, and consumer education can complicate waste management. For instance, biodegradable plastics may require specific conditions, such as industrial composting facilities, to break down effectively.
The classification of plastic waste as hazardous waste has been suggested as a way to address the issues with plastic recycling. If plastics were classified as hazardous, they would be subject to stricter regulations and management protocols, preventing them from ending up in landfills or the ocean. Additionally, reclassification could spur innovation and research into biodegradable and eco-friendly alternatives, helping to reduce the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution.
However, despite these challenges and calls for reclassification, plastic waste recycling remains crucial in mitigating the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution. While recycling may not be a perfect solution, it is a critical component of waste management strategies, and continued efforts are needed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of plastic waste recycling processes.
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Plastic waste and the Basel Convention
Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, with over 300 million tons produced annually, and this figure is only expected to increase. The Basel Convention, which entered into force in 1992 and currently has 191 parties, is the only global legally binding instrument that specifically addresses plastic waste.
The Convention's original classification of hazardous substances did not clearly define plastic waste, but this was amended in 2019 to include plastic within its scope. This amendment was driven by the recognition that high and increasing levels of marine plastic litter and microplastics pose a serious environmental problem, negatively impacting marine biodiversity, ecosystems, animal well-being, societies, and economies.
The Plastic Waste Amendments, found in Annexes II, VIII, and IX of the Convention, are now binding on 186 states. These amendments aim to ensure that the trade in plastic waste is more transparent and better regulated. Additionally, governments must take steps to ensure the environmentally sound management of plastic waste and tackle it at its source.
The Basel Convention has influenced the policies of its member states, such as China's National Sword Policy, which banned the import of plastic waste into the country. However, this has led to increased trade flows to other Southeast Asian countries and an increase in illegal waste trafficking. The Convention's effectiveness is further reduced by the differences among parties in terms of regulation requirements, standards, and labeling procedures.
The United States, the largest producer and exporter of plastic waste, has not ratified the Convention and thus its export shipments are considered "criminal traffic" under the Basel Action Network (BAN). Despite this, the Convention has provided a launching point for addressing the consistent disposal of waste and encouraged the development of national policies to reduce plastic usage.
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Plastic waste in the US
Plastic waste is a significant issue in the US, with the country being one of the world's largest consumers of plastics. In 2019, the US consumed 18% of global plastic products, and its plastic waste generation was estimated at 73 million metric tons, corresponding to more than 220 kilograms per inhabitant. This was roughly five times the global average per capita. The US's plastic waste problem is projected to worsen, with estimates suggesting that plastic waste generation will surpass 140 million metric tons by 2060.
The primary sources of plastic waste in the US are containers and packaging, which include single-use products such as bags, wraps, and bottles. Plastic waste is also generated from nondurable goods with a lifespan of less than three years, such as plastic plates, cups, trash bags, disposable diapers, and clothing. Durable goods, such as appliances, furniture, carpets, and consumer electronics, also contribute to plastic waste but to a lesser extent.
The current policies for managing plastic waste in the US are outdated and insufficient. Plastic waste is classified as ordinary solid waste, which means it is often disposed of in landfills or exported to other countries. This classification does not reflect the hazardous nature of plastics, which can take up to 500 years to degrade, accumulate on the ground, absorb pollutants, clog sewage systems, and harm aquatic life.
There have been calls to reclassify plastics as hazardous waste, which would provide more tools and funding for mandated agencies to monitor and clean up plastic waste. It would also spur innovation and research into biodegradable and eco-friendly plastics. The US EPA has recognized the plastic waste issue and released a strategy to work collaboratively with governments, organizations, and communities to prevent plastic pollution.
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Plastic waste and health
Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, with over 300 million tons produced annually, and this figure is only predicted to increase. The management of plastic debris is a concern for human health and wildlife, and policies in this area are outdated. The improper management of waste, including plastic waste, is a crime that endangers the environment, health, and economic development.
The Basel Convention, signed by 53 states and the EEC, aims to regulate the trade of hazardous waste and mitigate the unwanted transport of toxic imports. In 2021, amendments were made to include plastic waste in the covered wastes, with the first regulations specifically addressing plastic waste.
The health impacts of plastic waste are far-reaching. Plastic particles have been found in human lung, liver, bowel, brain, breastmilk, placenta, blood, and uterus tissue. They have also been discovered in our air, water, food, and bloodstream. The average person is estimated to ingest approximately 5 grams of plastic weekly. These particles can enter our digestive system, impacting our health and potentially causing diseases, shortening life expectancy, and even leading to death.
The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics are of particular concern. They can leach from plastic items and enter our bodies through ingestion, inhalation, and direct skin contact. These chemicals are associated with a range of health risks, including carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting, developmental, and neurological impacts. For example, endocrine disruption can lead to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairments.
Vulnerable groups, including children, women, waste sector workers, and marginalized communities, are especially exposed to the dangers of plastic waste. Waste pickers in developing countries, for instance, often lack workplace protections and health support while being exposed to hazardous materials and fumes from burning landfill waste.
To mitigate the health risks associated with plastic waste, urgent action is required. Systemic change is necessary to reduce plastic use and remove plastic from the environment. This includes improving waste management practices, particularly in developing countries, through better education, communication, and infrastructure. Individual behaviour choices, such as reducing plastic packaging, can also play a role in curbing plastic waste and its impact on human health.
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Frequently asked questions
The Basel Convention is an agreement signed by 53 states and the EEC to regulate the trade of hazardous waste and mitigate the unwanted transport of toxic imports.
The COP voted to amend the treaty to include plastic within the covered wastes. Amendments to Annexes II, VIII, and IX were implemented on January 1, 2021, to address the trade in plastic waste.
There are three categories: non-hazardous plastic waste, hazardous plastic waste, and plastic waste that is not subject to Basel Convention requirements.
