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The Evolutionary Trend and Impact of Global Plastic Waste Trade Network

Author

Listed:
  • Changping Zhao

    (Business School, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500, China)

  • Mengru Liu

    (School of Maritime Economics and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China)

  • Huanzheng Du

    (UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Yu Gong

    (Southampton Business School, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK)

Abstract

Marine plastic waste, global warming, and ozone holes have become global environmental problems that need to be resolved urgently. With the promulgation of plastic bans in many countries, the global plastic waste trade will undergo tremendous change. In order to explore the future evolutionary trend of the global plastic waste trade network, this paper focuses on the analysis of the import and export of plastic waste from major trading countries around the world. Based on the bilateral trade volume of plastic waste from 1990 to 2019, a global plastic waste trade network is constructed, and the structure and characteristics of the network are studied. The results show that the global plastic waste trade network has shifted its center of gravity, and the import center has gradually shifted from China to Southeast Asia. The global plastic waste trade network presents a sparse state. Moreover, the dependence of related countries on plastic waste trade decreases, whilst the closeness of trade links also decreases. Sudden factors such as plastic waste import bans have a disruptive impact on plastic waste management.

Suggested Citation

  • Changping Zhao & Mengru Liu & Huanzheng Du & Yu Gong, 2021. "The Evolutionary Trend and Impact of Global Plastic Waste Trade Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3662-:d:524115
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giorgio Fagiolo & Javier Reyes & Stefano Schiavo, 2010. "The evolution of the world trade web: a weighted-network analysis," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 479-514, August.
    2. Laurent Lebreton & Anthony Andrady, 2019. "Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Zongguo Wen & Yiling Xie & Muhan Chen & Christian Doh Dinga, 2021. "China’s plastic import ban increases prospects of environmental impact mitigation of plastic waste trade flow worldwide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Oecd, 2018. "Improving Plastics Management: Trends, policy responses, and the role of international co-operation and trade," OECD Environment Policy Papers 12, OECD Publishing.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

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    2. Junwen Cao & Qingya Lei, 2025. "Global agricultural trade network characteristics and its influencing factors," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Moon, DongWhoi & Wang, H. Holly & Hao, Na, 2023. "Consumer behavior in choosing microplastic contaminated seafood across different countries: The role of cultural and attitudinal factors," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 290-306.
    4. Nesreen El-Rayes & Aichih (Jasmine) Chang & Jim Shi, 2023. "Plastic Management and Sustainability: A Data-Driven Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-15, April.
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    6. Changping Zhao & Xinli Qi & Jin Wang & Fengyang Du & Xiaolan Shi, 2022. "Predicting Possible New Links to Future Global Plastic Waste Trade Networks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-22, April.
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    8. Unfried, Kerstin & Wang, Feicheng, 2022. "Importing Air Pollution? Evidence from China's Plastic Waste Imports," IZA Discussion Papers 15218, IZA Network @ LISER.
    9. Wenlong Yu & Tianhui Tao, 2022. "Scenario Simulation for the Urban Carrying Capacity Based on System Dynamics Model in Shanghai, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, October.

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