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This policy analysis examines the development of a legally binding international treaty to end plastic pollution following UN Environment Assembly Resolution 5/14. It argues that for the treaty to be effective, it must address the overproduction of virgin plastics, the failures of the international waste trade (highlighting the impact of China's 2017 import ban), and the need for coordination between environmental goals and World Trade Organization (WTO) trade policies.

This policy brief examines the impact of Chinese investments in Tanzania's plastic recycling industry and the subsequent effects of China's 2018 import ban on waste materials. It highlights how Chinese firms have facilitated technology transfer and local business growth, while also noting significant environmental and health risks and a potential decline in local waste sourcing due to the import of cleaner waste from Europe and the US.