Basel Convention found its origin in the international outrage due to illegal transnational shipping of hazardous waste. In the later half of 1980s, the highly industrialized countries faced stringency in the environmental regulations, leading to a rise in the costs of hazardous waste disposal. Exploring a cheaper alternative, the hazardous wastes began finding an easy inlet into the developing countries. The Basel Convention basically aims at controlling the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes apart from promoting environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes.

"Reduction at source" is another prime focus of the Basel Convention, Minimisation of hazardous waste generation has been focussed at, due to the alarming rise in stockpiles - both in terms of quantity and extent of hazardous nature. The Convention also aims to ensure that the generated hazardous wastes are treated and disposed of as close to the source of generation as possible.