Illegal waste trafficking
Introduction
From the 1970s onwards, the EU has taken the lead in countering the problems deriving from the mismanagement of waste and its illicit shipment. However, it was only in 2002 with the Sixth Environmental Action Programme that waste management was included among the key environmental priorities at the EU level and, subsequently, in 2007, the Treaty of Lisbon formally included the issue of the environment in all European policies.
‘Movement of waste across the EU’s internal and external borders’ report (EEA, 2012b) describes the significant growth in cross-border waste trade, with exports of copper, iron, steel, aluminium, and nickel having doubled between 1999 and 2011, and plastics increased by a factor of five. It comes as no surprise that criminal networks and organised criminal groups have become increasingly interested in illicit transnational activities, led by vast financial gains and facilitated by a low risk of detection and scarce conviction rates. At the same time, the movement of hazardous waste is decreasing, mostly because of the strict legal requirements.
Given the transnational nature of illegal waste trafficking, international cooperation and prompt exchange of information become integral to the fight against this crime type. This means, on the one hand, practical information and standardised data sharing among countries, and, on the other hand, the possibility of creating robust formal and informal networks among agencies operating in the sectors (e.g., law enforcement agencies, prosecution offices, customs, environmental protection agencies).
Teresa Fajardo del Castillo
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