Economic and environmental (in)efficiency of the Basel Convention

Abstract

Softening environmental regulation in non-OECD countries resulted in increasing environmental damages in these countries. In recent years, more than 50% of transboundary hazardous waste movements went to non-OECD countries, which might have fragile environmental regulations. Most of this waste was disposed in dumps and/or landfills with no treatment, which might cause serious problems and harms to the health and environment in surrounding areas. The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficiency of the Basel Convention as the major regulation in controlling the international trade of hazardous solid waste among countries covered by the Convention. This study used data from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) database. This study analyzed the solid waste international trade from the exporter and importer perspectives, relating to the economic and environmental efficiency of waste treatment and disposal.