Introduction
In the parlance of shipping, intermodal containers are known informally as “cans”. These cans are unfortunately used by global waste traffickers for the shipping of hazardous or problematic wastes, including e-wastes or plastic wastes. The Basel Action Network has developed methods to identify intermodal containers that have a high risk of containing illegal waste and are en route to destination countries. In collaboration with member organizations of the Break Free from Plastic (BFFP) movement in Asia, Operation Can Opener provides the governments of destination countries with alerts, warning them of the incoming waste shipments. We offer this important enforcement intelligence to them in hope that they will “open the cans” and determine whether they contain contraband waste. For more information about Operation Can Opener, please refer to our FAQ.
