What are the key provisions of the Basel Convention related to plastic waste management?

The key provisions of the Basel Convention related to plastic waste management include the classification of plastic waste as hazardous or non-hazardous, the establishment of a prior informed consent (PIC) procedure for transboundary movement of plastic waste, and the encouragement of environmentally sound management of plastic waste.

Long answer

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal is an international treaty that aims to minimize the generation and ensure environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes, including plastic waste. The convention’s key provisions related to plastic waste management are as follows:

1. Classification: Plastic waste is classified under Annex II of the convention as either hazardous or non-hazardous. This classification helps in determining appropriate handling, shipment, and disposal procedures for effective management.

2. Prior Informed Consent (PIC): To control transboundary movements of plastic waste, the Basel Convention introduced a PIC procedure. This requires countries exporting plastic waste to obtain prior consent from the importing country before shipment can take place. Through this process, importing countries can assess their capability to manage and dispose of such wastes properly.

3. Environmentally Sound Management (ESM): The Basel Convention emphasizes the importance of environmentally sound management practices for plastic waste. This includes minimizing its generation, promoting recycling and recovery technologies, reducing impacts on human health and environment, promoting awareness and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, etc.

4. Control Procedures: Under the Basel Convention, parties are required to establish adequate control procedures for shipments involving plastics waste. These procedures ensure that only permissible materials are exported or imported based on their classification as hazardous or non-hazardous.

5. National Measures: Signatory countries are encouraged to adopt national legislation or measures consistent with the objectives of the convention to effectively regulate plastic waste within their jurisdictions. This includes establishing appropriate licensing systems for handling and disposal facilities, implementing monitoring systems, fostering research and development initiatives, etc.

Overall, the Basel Convention provides a framework for international cooperation in managing plastic waste, with an emphasis on minimizing its environmental and health impacts through the adoption of environmentally sound practices and control measures. These provisions aim to regulate transboundary movements of plastic waste, promote recycling, reduce pollution, and encourage sustainable management of these materials.