We need a well-structured approach that enables sustainable plastic waste management

摘要

Plastic waste has dominated global headlines once again,particularly in Europe where a major landmark decision was reached this May.As a final step,at the end of a two-week meeting in Geneva,Switzerland,the Basel Convention,a treaty that regulates the movement of hazardous materials from one country to another,reached a historic agreement.The treaty requires governments to control the movement of plastic waste between national borders in an effort to eliminate the leakage of plastics into the environment.As part of the resolution,contaminated and most mixes of plastic wastes will require prior consent from receiving countries before they are traded,with the exceptions of mixes of PE(polyethylene),PP(polypropylene)and PET(polyethylene terephthalate).