The transboundary movement and management of hazardous waste remain critical sustainability challenges with profound implications for human health and the environment. Since the large-scale dumping of hazardous wastes in African countries in 1988, global and regional efforts have sought to regulate the production, movement, and disposal of such wastes through treaties, protocols, and declarations. This paper critically examines the international and regional legal frameworks governing hazardous waste, highlighting their objectives, mechanisms, and enforcement provisions. It explores the definition, classification, and sources of hazardous wastes, as well as their environmental and health consequences, emphasizing the urgent need for effective governance and compliance. The study analyses how international conventions, such as the Basel Convention, and regional instruments, provide preventive measures, remedial actions, and sanctions for non-compliance. Challenges in implementation, including weak enforcement, lack of resources, and cross-border coordination difficulties, are also discussed. By evaluating these frameworks, the paper identifies lessons and best practices for strengthening hazardous waste management, ensuring accountability, and mitigating environmental risks. The findings underscore the importance of harmonized policies, capacity-building, and collaborative enforcement to protect both communities and ecosystems from the adverse effects of hazardous waste. This research contributes to the discourse on sustainable waste management in Africa and globally, offering insights for policymakers, regulators, and environmental practitioners seeking to enhance compliance, promote sustainability, and safeguard public health.
Thompson et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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