Table 2 International Conventions that directly address plastic waste and hazardous chemicals found in plastics

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

The Basel Convention regulates and controls the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, including plastic waste. It prohibits the export of hazardous wastes from developed countries to developing countries, unless the receiving country explicitly consents to the import. The Basel Convention also sets standards for the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes, both domestically and internationally [152]

The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade

The Rotterdam Convention regulates the international trade and safe use of certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides, including those that are used as monomers, additives, or processing aids in the production of certain plastics (e.g. phthalates, bisphenol A and heavy metals)

It requires countries to notify each other before exporting these chemicals, and to obtain the prior informed consent (PIC) of the importing country before exporting them for first-time use. In 2019, the Parties to the Convention adopted a decision on measures to reduce the generation of plastic waste and improve its management including: promoting the use of sustainable alternatives to plastic; improving waste collection and recycling; reducing the export of plastic waste to countries that are not equipped to manage it safely [153]

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

The Stockholm Convention regulates chemicals that are considered persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBTs), with potentially harmful effects on human health and the environment. The Convention prohibits and restricts the use of POP additives in plastics (e.g., POPs used as flame retardants, plasticizers, or surfactants), and restricts releases of unintentional POPs (UPOPs), deriving, inter alia, from open burning of waste and waste incinerators. This Convention promotes the elimination or reduction of POPs through measures such as bans, restrictions, and control mechanisms [154]

The London Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter

The London Convention prohibits the dumping of hazardous wastes at sea. It includes stringent controls on the dumping of hazardous wastes, including plastic waste, that are likely: a) to sink to the sea bottom and remain there; b) to float or remain in suspension in the sea and interfere with navigation, fishing or other legitimate uses of the sea; c) to harm human health or marine life [155]