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Towards a Just Circular Economy Transition: the Case of European Plastic Waste Trade to Vietnam for Recycling

Author

Listed:
  • Kaustubh Thapa

    (Utrecht University)

  • Walter J. V. Vermeulen

    (Utrecht University)

  • Mo Ming Waal

    (Utrecht University)

  • Pauline Deutz

    (University of Hull)

  • Hồng Quân Nguyễn

    (Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM)
    Institute for Environment and Resources, VNU-HCM)

Abstract

Exporting waste for recycling to destinations without sound recycling capacity raises questions of fairness and sustainability. Due to insufficient recycling infrastructure in Europe to manage the growing generation of plastic waste, there has been an increase in waste trade for recycling in a complex global value chain, with the stated goal of achieving sound resource recovery. However, such trade poses increasing governance and sustainability challenges. The EU has implemented policies and systems for plastic waste management, including separate collection to prevent potential harm and promote resource reuse. Nevertheless, waste handling is often outsourced without transparency to countries with cheaper operating and labour costs, which can cause harm to individuals, societies, and the environment. Fifty per cent of the collected European plastic waste for recycling is shipped for recycling outside the EU without accountability. This Vietnamese case study of the EU plastic waste exports for recycling aims to increase our understanding of waste governance and its circularity, sustainability and justice implications. We adopt a multidisciplinary perspective to understand the challenges of the EU’s plastic waste export practices for the broader socio-ecological system. We propose a multidisciplinary framework as an ecocentric ethical guide for just and circular future waste shipment practices with strong consideration for the social and ecological dimensions. We hope that this research and its outcomes can provide insights for forthcoming policies, such as the United Nations treaty on plastic waste pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaustubh Thapa & Walter J. V. Vermeulen & Mo Ming Waal & Pauline Deutz & Hồng Quân Nguyễn, 2024. "Towards a Just Circular Economy Transition: the Case of European Plastic Waste Trade to Vietnam for Recycling," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(2), pages 851-876, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:4:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s43615-023-00330-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-023-00330-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stefan Salhofer & Aleksander Jandric & Souphaphone Soudachanh & Thinh Le Xuan & Trinh Dinh Tran, 2021. "Plastic Recycling Practices in Vietnam and Related Hazards for Health and the Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Zongguo Wen & Yiling Xie & Muhan Chen & Christian Doh Dinga, 2021. "China’s plastic import ban increases prospects of environmental impact mitigation of plastic waste trade flow worldwide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
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