Abstract

The caselet discusses the hazards of increasing industrial wastes and the need to curb global environmental pollution levels. It pays special attention to the increasing pollution levels along the US-Mexican border caused by the concentration of industries just inside the border (Maquiladora) in Mexico and the negligent enforcement of environmental laws. It also focuses on the Basel Convention, which is aimed at reducing the risks posed to human health and the environment due to improper management of wastes and pollutants.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Increasing global pollution levels
• Control measures to curb global pollution
• High pollution levels along the US-Mexico border
• Action against global pollution through inter-country agreements
• Problems in enforcing the Basel Convention.

Keywords

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Maquiladora program, Inter-country agreements, waste export agreement, Basel Convention, Waste Export Control Act.