The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal (Basel Convention) is an International Treaty that regulates the global trade of waste and was originally opened for signature in 1989. There are two recent amendments to the Basel Convention which affect international movements in this industry. The Plastic Waste Amendments of 2019 constituted changes that subjected transboundary shipments of e-plastics – notably mixed plastics from end-of-life electronics – to controls beginning in 2021. The E-Waste Amendments of 2022 constituted changes that subjected transboundary shipments of non-hazardous end-of-life electronics to controls beginning in 2025. Because of these implications on the industry, SERI has assembled several resources intended to assist R2 Facilities. 

RESOURCES

A Basel Convention created Q&A related to the Plastic Waste Amendments: Click Here

A Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) handbook on the processing of WEEE Plastics: Click Here

An OECD publication on the Plastics Waste Amendments and E-Waste Amendments national controls: Click Here

US EPA Q&A on International requirements for the export of import of plastic recyclables and waste: Click Here

SERI’s notice to R2-Certified Facilities about compliance with the Basel Convention: Click Here

SERI and BAN co-op on why the industry must commit to Basel e-plastics compliance: Click Here

SERI’s Stakeholder Engagement Report on E-Plastics: Click Here

SERI and BAN joint webinar on the latest Basel Convention Amendments: Click Here