International trade and plastic waste in oceans: legal and policy challenges
Plastic waste pollution in oceans has emerged as a severe global crisis, exacerbated by international trade. The increased movement of goods, particularly plastic-based products, contributes significantly to marine plastic pollution. This study explores the intersection of international trade and pl...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1627829/full |
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| author | Zhang Hui Aftab Haider Asif Khan |
| author_facet | Zhang Hui Aftab Haider Asif Khan |
| author_sort | Zhang Hui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Plastic waste pollution in oceans has emerged as a severe global crisis, exacerbated by international trade. The increased movement of goods, particularly plastic-based products, contributes significantly to marine plastic pollution. This study explores the intersection of international trade and plastic waste, focusing on legal and policy challenges. Using a qualitative research design, this paper reviews international legal frameworks such as the Basel Convention, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and regional trade agreements to assess their effectiveness in addressing plastic waste issues. The research highlights critical enforcement gaps, lack of standardized regulations, and insufficient international cooperation as major obstacles to effective plastic waste management. Key findings suggest strengthening international legal frameworks, enhancing monitoring and compliance mechanisms, and promoting sustainable trade practices are crucial for mitigating plastic pollution in oceans. The study underscores the necessity for binding agreements within trade policies to ensure a sustainable balance between economic growth and marine ecosystem preservation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0684703f4b8a48a897d393acb468c4d3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-7745 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-0684703f4b8a48a897d393acb468c4d32025-08-20T03:05:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452025-08-011210.3389/fmars.2025.16278291627829International trade and plastic waste in oceans: legal and policy challengesZhang Hui0Aftab Haider1Asif Khan2School of Law, Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Law, Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Law, Hainan University, Haikou, ChinaPlastic waste pollution in oceans has emerged as a severe global crisis, exacerbated by international trade. The increased movement of goods, particularly plastic-based products, contributes significantly to marine plastic pollution. This study explores the intersection of international trade and plastic waste, focusing on legal and policy challenges. Using a qualitative research design, this paper reviews international legal frameworks such as the Basel Convention, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and regional trade agreements to assess their effectiveness in addressing plastic waste issues. The research highlights critical enforcement gaps, lack of standardized regulations, and insufficient international cooperation as major obstacles to effective plastic waste management. Key findings suggest strengthening international legal frameworks, enhancing monitoring and compliance mechanisms, and promoting sustainable trade practices are crucial for mitigating plastic pollution in oceans. The study underscores the necessity for binding agreements within trade policies to ensure a sustainable balance between economic growth and marine ecosystem preservation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1627829/fullenvironmental governancewaste management policiesmarine ecosystem degradationtransboundary pollutionregulatory enforcementcircular economy |
| spellingShingle | Zhang Hui Aftab Haider Asif Khan International trade and plastic waste in oceans: legal and policy challenges Frontiers in Marine Science environmental governance waste management policies marine ecosystem degradation transboundary pollution regulatory enforcement circular economy |
| title | International trade and plastic waste in oceans: legal and policy challenges |
| title_full | International trade and plastic waste in oceans: legal and policy challenges |
| title_fullStr | International trade and plastic waste in oceans: legal and policy challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | International trade and plastic waste in oceans: legal and policy challenges |
| title_short | International trade and plastic waste in oceans: legal and policy challenges |
| title_sort | international trade and plastic waste in oceans legal and policy challenges |
| topic | environmental governance waste management policies marine ecosystem degradation transboundary pollution regulatory enforcement circular economy |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1627829/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zhanghui internationaltradeandplasticwasteinoceanslegalandpolicychallenges AT aftabhaider internationaltradeandplasticwasteinoceanslegalandpolicychallenges AT asifkhan internationaltradeandplasticwasteinoceanslegalandpolicychallenges |