Basel Convention is an international treaty that was designed to control the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal. It is the only legally binding instrument that governs plastic waste. These 5 Fact Sheets are suplimentary material to the Drowning in Plastics - Marine Litter and Plastic Waste Vital Graphics publication launched by GRID-Arendal, UNEP and the Basel Secretariat in October 2021.

Fact Sheet 1: An Introduction to the global waste crisis

"Since the mid-1950s the production and use of plastics has grown rapidly. Annual global production of primary fossil fuel-based plastics increased from 2 million tonnes in the 1950s to more than 438 million tonnes in 2017."

Fact Sheet 2: Environmentally sound management of plastic waste

"While it is preferable to prevent the generation of plastic wastes, once it is generated, it needs to be managed in an environmentally sound manner in order to protect human health and the environment."

Fact Sheet 3: Control of transboundary movements of plastic wastes

Fact Sheet 4: Plastic Waste Prevention and Minimization

"The first and most important step to decrease plastic waste is prevention and minimization."

Fact Sheet 5: Plastic additives

"Every plastic item contains additives that determine the properties of the material and influence the cost of production."

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