Mountains of plastic waste, destined for recycling facilities in developed nations, are instead being illegally dumped in developing countries, polluting environments and endangering public health. This illicit cross-border movement of plastic waste not only violates international conventions but poses a significant challenge to global environmental governance. The World Customs Organization (WCO) is taking decisive action to help Asia-Pacific customs authorities establish robust green border defenses against such criminal activities.
Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments Take Effect
On January 1, 2021, amendments to the Basel Convention concerning plastic waste officially came into force. These amendments strengthen controls over transboundary movements of plastic waste, particularly targeting materials that are difficult to recycle or environmentally hazardous. Under the revised terms, exporting certain types of plastic waste now requires prior informed consent from importing countries, ensuring environmentally sound management of these materials. The implementation of these amendments has significantly raised the bar for customs supervision worldwide.
WCO Launches Asia-Pacific Waste Border Management Project
To assist Asia-Pacific customs administrations in meeting these new challenges, the WCO initiated the "Asia-Pacific Waste Border Management Project," with three primary objectives:
- Enhanced Regulatory Capacity: Strengthening regional customs' ability to manage legitimate plastic waste imports in compliance with Basel Convention requirements
- Combatting Illegal Trade: Curbing the threat of illicit plastic waste shipments entering the Asia-Pacific region
- Awareness Building: Ensuring customs administrations fully understand the provisions and significance of the Basel Convention plastic waste amendments
Diagnostic Missions: Indonesia and Philippines Case Studies
As part of this initiative, the WCO deployed integrated teams from its Compliance and Facilitation Directorate to conduct virtual diagnostic missions with Indonesia's Directorate General of Customs (January 11-15) and the Philippines Bureau of Customs (January 18-22) in January 2021.
These missions followed a comprehensive assessment methodology:
- Self-Assessment Questionnaires: Both customs administrations completed detailed self-evaluations of their plastic waste management systems
- WCO Secretariat Review: Follow-up discussions analyzed questionnaire responses and operational practices
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Assessments covered multiple critical areas including national waste management strategies, legal frameworks, clearance procedures for legitimate waste shipments, enforcement measures against illegal trade, supportive policies for waste management, and customs personnel training programs
Project Outcomes and Forward Planning
The diagnostic missions yielded significant insights into plastic waste management capabilities in both countries. Key project deliverables include:
- Customized Implementation Plans: Tailored roadmaps for improving plastic waste management systems in Indonesia and the Philippines
- Regional Workshop: Scheduled for 2021 to facilitate knowledge-sharing on plastic waste management challenges and best practices across Asia-Pacific customs administrations
The workshop will focus on developing regional strategies for plastic waste management, establishing standardized training frameworks for customs officers, and coordinating future joint enforcement operations against illegal plastic waste trafficking.
The WCO initiative represents both a direct response to the Basel Convention amendments and a substantial contribution to global environmental protection efforts. By enhancing customs oversight, combating illegal trade, and raising professional standards, the project aims to safeguard ecosystems and public health while supporting sustainable development goals.
The program's impact extends beyond Indonesia and the Philippines, serving as a model for regional environmental cooperation. Through information exchange, capacity building, and technological innovation—including potential applications of AI and blockchain for waste tracking—the project promises to transform customs' role in managing the global plastic waste crisis.