The rapid growth in the production, use and disposal of plastic represents a challenge for waste management systems. It has resulted in a global trade in plastic waste. In January 2018, China banned the import of 24 types of waste, including various plastics. Since then, plastic waste exports have been re-routed to South East Asia countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Viet Nam. This is posing a threat to the environment and human health.

The global trade of waste and plastic waste involves a wide range of actors. Therefore, traceability and control is proving a challenge. Countries are taking steps to address this issue. Countries are no longer issuing permits to import plastic scrap and are announcing the shipping back of contaminated plastic waste. Much of this plastic waste was being brought in illegally in containers, once the containers are fully inspected.

Containers of contaminated plastic are now sitting in ports – which is posing environmental and health risks. Recycling sectors with proper credentials are awaiting legal shipments of non- contaminated plastic.

To tackle the issue of illegal trade of plastic waste, the national competent authorities must have the capacity to monitor and control the flow of plastic waste, and to implement and enforce existing legislation and policies. Source countries – where the plastic waste originates – are also being engaged to tackle the problem at source.

This session will consider the multi-pronged initiatives being undertaken by both source and recipient countries, national and international frameworks to clean up the plastic waste trade. Policies such as the Basel Convention will be discussed, as well as the role of enforcement agencies in addressing the challenges brought by the illegal trade in plastic waste.