Basel Amendments to Impact Global Plastic Waste Shipments

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The proposed plastics-related changes to the Basel Convention are likely to have even bigger impacts than the Chinese ban. The amendments in shipment rules are likely to impact plastic waste shipments among various countries. The U.S. plastic scrap exporters are likely to be impacted most badly. The changes are due to come into effect in January next year.

The amendments proposed by Norway last year have already been approved by all countries that are party to the treaty. It must be noted that the U.S. is not a party to the Convention. It calls for mandatory reporting requirements while shipping materials to countries. Also, the amendment classifies certain common plastic scrap items as ‘hazardous’ materials.

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According to Rolph Payet, executive secretary of the Basel Convention, the more stringent controls, as envisaged by the amendment, is likely to lead to increased paperwork. On the other hand, it will increase the transparency of trade between countries and put strict controls on shipments of contaminated waste. The changes will ultimately result in major improvement to the scrap plastics trade, Payet noted.

The amendment primarily aims to promote domestic recycling industries.