Plastic waste trafficking in Spain: examining the actors, routes, and crimes involved

Abstract The management of plastic waste represents a significant global environmental challenge due to excessive reliance on plastics and the limitations of recycling. The inability of countries and cities to handle increasing plastic waste effectively has fueled a lucrative illicit market. After China banned plastic waste imports in 2018, an illegal intra-EU trade emerged, with Spain becoming a key destination for illicit plastic waste disposal. This study employs content analysis of law enforcement operations to assess the scale of this crime, the actors involved, and the routes used for smuggling plastic waste in and out of Spain. The findings reveal that legal and illegal actors collaborate to facilitate waste trafficking, exploiting regulatory loopholes and weak enforcement mechanisms. This illicit trade also reflects broader structural inequalities in the global economy, where waste flows disproportionately to regions with less regulatory oversight. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective policies to combat plastic waste trafficking.