UNODC’s report on Waste Crime and Trafficking warns that organised networks are driving global pollution and illicit profits through illegal waste handling, transport, trade, fraud, corruption, and ML

These illicit activities generate significant profits through fraud, smuggling, and ML, while causing severe environmental and health impacts, including toxic pollution and undermining recycling efforts. The report emphasizes the transnational nature of waste trafficking, with high‑waste countries shipping materials to regions with lax oversight, and identifies key challenges such as data gaps, fragmented enforcement, and low penalties. UNODC calls for stronger legislation, cross‑border cooperation, enhanced financial investigations…