ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at efforts to keep humanity safe from hazardous waste. Indefatigable Swiss lawyer and diplomat, Franz Perrez, has played a major role in this area, as well as several others relating to chemicals management and safety. Through his efforts and those of other leaders in this field, the Basel Convention, which governs the movement of hazardous wastes ranging from disused electronics to old ships, banned their movement and dumping from wealthy countries to poorer ones. The ban, which closed loopholes in the Basel Convention, helped deliver a positive effect on the health and well-being of millions of people, especially in the Global South. How did Perrez and others secure global agreement on this important but complex issue? And what needs to happen next?
