Name(s):
Illicit movement of toxic products
Export of toxic wastes
Covert trade in toxic wastes
Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes
Nature
The industrialized countries are producing enormous quantities of toxic wastes and they do not have enough room to bury them. Disposal has been made even more difficult by pressures from environmental movements and by regulations. Furthermore, the cost of "clean" disposal of wastes, by high-temperature incineration is very high. The industrialized countries have therefore sought to get rid of their wastes on other continents and found out that sending them to developing countries was 10 times cheaper than other method. In the countries of destination, the local trading partners fell into the trap and it had thus been possible to offload substantial shipments.
Background
The [Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal] requires [inter alia] that the export of hazardous wastes is only permissible in a case where it present the most environmental sound solution.
Claim
Irresponsible trade in hazardous waste is a disgrace. The developing countries should not be the dustbin of the industrialized world.
Counter-claim
In 2002, 12 years after signing, the [Basel Convention] is not ratified by the USA.