Dr Babet de Groot1
1University of Wollongong, Australia
Biography:
Babet is an early career researcher in global plastics governance with an interest in environmental politics, the circular economy, and youth engagement.
Abstract:
Plastic production, consumption, and pollution is a significant contributor to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Its adverse effects are experienced disproportionately by those who are the least culpable for the problem and least capable of addressing it, specifically pacific small island developing states (PSIDS). In the absence of a multilateral environmental agreement, plastic pollution is governed, in part, by the hazardous waste trade regime complex which views plastic as a resource and aims to bolster waste management infrastructure in developing countries. However, this regulatory approach overlooks the local socio-cultural practices which, historically, had no need for plastic products. This paper offers a reflection, based on PhD interviews, on the development futures for global plastic governance and the communities affected by the hazardous waste trade regime complex.