Imagine ports becoming dumping grounds for illegal plastic waste—environmental pollution and public health risks would be catastrophic. How can nations effectively guard their borders against these "environmental assassins"? The World Customs Organization (WCO) has stepped in, providing robust support to upgrade plastic waste control measures across the Asia-Pacific region.
Step 1: Precision Diagnosis
To help regional customs authorities tackle the growing threat of illegal plastic waste trade, the WCO deployed an expert team from its Compliance and Facilitation Directorate. In January 2021, the team conducted two virtual diagnostic missions—first with Indonesia’s Directorate General of Customs (January 11–15), then with the Philippines Bureau of Customs (January 18–22). These weren’t superficial visits but deep dives into both nations’ plastic waste management systems, laying groundwork for targeted solutions.
Step 2: Tailored Solutions
This initiative forms part of the WCO’s Asia-Pacific Border Management Plastic Waste Project, which aims to enhance regional capabilities in monitoring legal plastic waste imports, curbing illegal shipments, and raising awareness of the Basel Convention’s Plastic Waste Amendments that took effect January 1, 2021.
During the assessments, Indonesian and Philippine customs officials completed self-diagnostic questionnaires, followed by in-depth discussions with WCO experts. The exchanges covered strategic approaches, legal frameworks, clearance procedures for legitimate goods, enforcement against illicit shipments, policy support, and capacity building—providing a comprehensive evaluation of strengths and gaps.
Step 3: Regional Collaboration
As deliverables, the WCO will provide both nations with detailed implementation plans to better align with Basel Convention requirements. Additionally, a regional workshop on plastic waste is planned for 2021, where participants will develop shared strategies, training frameworks, and coordinated enforcement actions against illegal trade.
Tangible Improvements for Asia-Pacific Customs
Strategic Level:
- Policy Enhancement: Assisting customs agencies in refining plastic waste management regulations.
- Risk Assessment: Establishing mechanisms to identify high-risk plastic waste shipments.
Operational Level:
- Streamlined Clearance: Optimizing procedures for legitimate plastic waste imports.
- Advanced Detection: Deploying cutting-edge inspection technologies.
- Intelligence Sharing: Strengthening cross-border information networks.
Capacity Building:
- Specialized Training: Enhancing customs officers’ identification and handling skills.
- Public Awareness: Educating communities about plastic waste risks.
The Basel Convention Amendments: A Global Framework
The 2019 amendments to the Basel Convention—which regulates transboundary movements of hazardous waste—introduced stricter controls on plastic waste trade, including:
- Clear categorization of recyclable vs. non-recyclable plastics
- Mandatory prior informed consent between exporting and importing countries
- Transparent tracking of cross-border plastic waste shipments
Challenges and Opportunities
While the WCO’s support and Basel amendments present opportunities, challenges persist:
- Complex identification of diverse plastic waste types
- High costs of comprehensive monitoring
- Need for stronger international enforcement coordination
Potential solutions include adopting AI-powered detection systems, optimizing resource allocation, and deepening multilateral cooperation.
The WCO’s diagnostic missions mark a significant step toward strengthening Asia-Pacific’s defenses against illegal plastic waste. With sustained effort, regional customs authorities can play a pivotal role in safeguarding both environmental and public health.