The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal was adopted on 22 March 1989 in Basel, Switzerland. It was established in response to the global concern over the illegal dumping of hazardous wastes, particularly in developing nations. The Convention was driven by increased environmental awareness in the 1970s and 1980s, which led to stricter regulations and resistance to hazardous waste disposal in industrialized countries. This, in turn, resulted in unethical disposal practices where hazardous waste was exported to countries with weaker environmental regulations. The Convention, which came into force in 1992, aims to protect human health and the environment by regulating and reducing the movement of hazardous waste across borders. It also seeks to prevent the exploitation of less developed nations in waste management. The Basel Convention classifies a wide range of hazardous and other special waste categories, including household waste, incinerator ash, plastic waste, and electronic waste, to ensure proper environmental management. Through international collaboration, the Convention promotes sustainable waste management practices and encourages countries to minimize waste production while strengthening regulatory frameworks to mitigate environmental hazards.

The Plastic Waste Partnership (PWP) was established under the Basel Convention to address the growing concerns surrounding plastic waste management. This initiative brings together governments, businesses, academia, and civil society to advance the environmentally sound management (ESM) of plastic waste at the global, regional, and national levels. The primary objective of the PWP is to reduce the generation of plastic waste while promoting sustainable waste disposal practices. The initiative focuses on preventing and minimizing plastic waste generation, improving collection and recycling mechanisms, and promoting sustainable innovation. PWP operates through designated working groups and project teams that focus on specific areas such as waste prevention, recycling markets, transboundary waste movements, and public awareness campaigns. As part of its mission, PWP funds pilot projects that drive practical solutions for plastic waste management. These projects focus on innovative approaches that contribute to long-term solutions for plastic pollution, especially in marine environments. The funding initiative aims to support both national and regional projects that align with the Basel Convention’s objectives. To date, 23 pilot projects have been successfully selected and implemented under the program.