The illicit trade in hazardous waste: a criminological supply chain approach

This chapter begins by introducing the issue of hazardous waste. Attention is paid, first, to (hazardous) waste generation and, second, to the trade in hazardous waste. Next, the chapter discusses the most important international conventions and regulations on waste. It then explains the reasons behind the illegal trade in hazardous waste. This explores the criminogenic characteristics of the sector and product, the more organized criminal activity involved in the black market waste trade (Ruggiero 1996) and the modus operandi used in the illegal waste trade. The chapter then moves to a discussion of two particular cases of hazardous waste: e-waste and shipbreaking. These cases provide insights into what general dynamics drive this illegal trade and illustrate the specific dynamics and regulatory implications of each type of waste. All of this informs an analysis of the international policy and enforcement strategies, the main challenges in controlling the illegal trade in hazardous waste, and opportunities for better control and prevention