| Waste is on the move. Waste paper, plastics and | | | | Long term, the EU aims to have each member state |
| metals are being shipped in increasing amounts from | | | | disposing of its waste domestically - however, as |
| developed countries to countries with less stringent | | | | shipments of hazardous waste for disposal from EU |
| environmental standards. Rather than sail back | | | | member states nearly quadrupled between 1997- |
| empty, huge ships carrying goods from emerging | | | | 2005; this aim has yet to be fulfilled. |
| markets are taking waste products from Europe to | | | | There are many varying factors driving the import |
| be recycled back in Asia. | | | | and export of waste; availability of special treatment |
| These shipments of waste are still being highly | | | | technology, shortage of materials, differences in |
| regulated. The UN and EU have strict rules on what | | | | prices for disposal or recovery. |
| can be shipped where. The UN's Basel Convention is | | | | EU policy, setting targets for recycling, also leads to |
| responsible for regulating global level international | | | | waste shipments from member states who cannot |
| trade of hazardous wastes. The ban contained in this | | | | meet their targets at home. Costs are being kept |
| convention has not been signed by enough countries | | | | low due to the volumes of waste on the market for |
| to bring it into force globally. However due to EU | | | | China, who need cheap raw materials. This trade is |
| restrictions, hazardous wastes are only allowed to be | | | | deemed acceptable as long as the waste is not for |
| exported to developed countries where the | | | | disposal at its destination and does not contain |
| necessary technologies exist and sufficient safety | | | | hazardous material. |
| and environmental laws are enforced. | | | | |