Abstract: Among the many social problems that plague our society, mishandling of (hazardous) waste has been and continues to be a serious and complex issue. The increasing production of waste is the result of rising global population, urbanisation and consumption. Such increase coupled with other important structural and situational conditions leads to the creation of opportunities for improper and even criminal management of waste, which, in turn, lead to devastating consequences for human health, the environment and the (global) economy. Although risks and adverse consequences related to waste and its management have been the object of analysis and action by both practitioners and researchers of many disciplines, an appropriate and effective solution does not yet exist.

The present study purports to provide new insights as to how the problem manifests itself and the mechanisms through which it occurs on the one hand; and an evaluation of the solutions and responses that currently exist on the other. It does so using insights from a variety of disciplines. The focus and methods, however, are predominantly criminological and legal for two reasons. Firstly, criminological frameworks, models and theories offer tools that are particularly useful to gain a deeper understanding of how this activity occurs and in what way it may be limited. Secondly, having recognised that a criminological analysis of the issue is advantageous and necessary, it is also important to note that lacunae are present in both this and the legal field of research. At present, no study has explored the crime-facilitative factors behind organised waste trafficking in this much detail. Nor has an evaluation of existing (legal) solutions to the problem been undertaken in a way that incorporates empirical evidence on the modality of its occurrence. Therefore, the study here presented seeks to fill these lacunae by means of in depth case studies. Instances of transnational organised trafficking in (hazardous) waste that have taken place partly in The Netherlands as well as legislation and prevention and contrast mechanisms will be examined.