Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century, posing significant adverse impacts on human well-being and global ecosystems. Although cross-border trade in plastic waste offers a valuable source of recyclable materials for a circular economy, it also entails considerable risks if inadequately regulated. Vietnam currently faces a dual challenge of controlling imported plastic waste while maximising the resource value of recyclable plastics. This article examines the international legal framework governing transboundary plastic waste trade, with particular emphasis on the Basel Convention, and analyses the regulatory experience of the European Union, Japan, and China. Based on these analyses, the article proposes recommendations for improving Vietnam’s legal framework to prevent the transboundary transfer of pollution while promoting the role of plastic waste trade as an integral component of a sustainable circular economy.
