Unpacking the Global Waste Trade

This chapter explores the troubling dynamics of the global waste trade, tracing its origins to the 1980s when developed countries began exporting toxic waste to developing nations. It highlights the deceptive reframing of trash as recyclable materials and the challenges faced by countries like Ghana and Indonesia, who continue to grapple with foreign waste despite rejecting it. Through poignant stories and compelling examples, the chapter underscores the urgent need for policy change and a reduction in plastic production to address the dire environmental impacts of waste.