The Hidden Cost of Global Trade: Evidence from Plastic Waste Trade and Its Ecological Ramifications Across Major Waste-Trading Nations

Basit Öğe Kaydı
dc.authorid0000-0001-8369-3735
dc.authorid0000-0001-7750-6286
dc.authorid0000-0002-4248-9057
dc.contributor.authorSeker, Ayberk
dc.contributor.authorOzturkcu, Nizamettin
dc.contributor.authorAydemir, Muhammed Fatih
dc.date.accessioned2026-02-08T15:16:02Z
dc.date.available2026-02-08T15:16:02Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentBursa Teknik Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractThe rapid expansion of plastic waste trade has intensified environmental pressures, accelerating ecosystem degradation and climate change. We examine the long-term impacts of plastic waste imports and domestic waste production on ecological footprints and greenhouse gas emissions across 20 countries representing 70% of global plastic waste trade and 45% of world GDP. Under the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework, we explore nonlinear interactions among economic growth, urbanization, and sustainability goals. Using a panel simultaneous equations approach, we apply Pedroni, Kao, and Westerlund cointegration tests and Fully Modified and Dynamic OLS estimators to address endogeneity and heterogeneity. Robustness checks include alternative environmental indicators and the Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality test. Results demonstrate a stable long-run equilibrium: plastic waste imports substantially increase ecological footprints and emissions, while progress on sustainable development goals mitigates some damage. The negative GDP squared coefficient supports the EKC hypothesis, indicating that environmental impacts rise initially with growth but decline once income exceeds a threshold. These findings highlight the need for stronger international regulations, enhanced waste management infrastructures, and circular economy strategies. Focused investment in sustainable technologies and global cooperation is essential to lower environmental costs of plastic waste trade.
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/su17136176
dc.identifier.issn2071-1050
dc.identifier.issue13
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105010315969
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.3390/su17136176
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12885/6084
dc.identifier.volume17
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001527524500001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ2
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherMdpi
dc.relation.ispartofSustainability
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzWOS_KA_20260207
dc.subjectplastic waste trade
dc.subjectEnvironmental Kuznets Curve
dc.subjectgreenhouse gas emissions
dc.subjectwaste management
dc.subjectsustainable development
dc.titleThe Hidden Cost of Global Trade: Evidence from Plastic Waste Trade and Its Ecological Ramifications Across Major Waste-Trading Nations
dc.typeArticle

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