Introduction

Waste trafficking is widely seen as a high-profit, low-risk crime. Often hidden behind legitimate transactions, it poses a threat not only to the legal trade in waste, but also to the global transition to a circular economy. Criminal actors involved in waste trafficking are known to use legitimate business structures to disguise illegal waste shipments, or exploit loopholes in regulation and enforcement to avoid detection. The complexity of global supply chains and inadequate monitoring mechanisms contribute to the ability of illegal waste traders to operate, and hamper efforts to combat waste trafficking. It is a large-scale problem: the European Commission estimates that illegal waste shipments within the European Union, and between third countries and the European Union, represent around 15%–30% of the total European Union waste trade and generate €9.5 billion in annual revenues for the illegal waste market in the European Union alone.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Good Health and Well-Being

Clean Water and Sanitation

Responsible Consumption and Production