In this paper four cases of waste trading are analysed. These cases seem to implicate at least three possible developments for the future. First, there is a tendency among developed countries to adapt to 'clever and creative accounting' and thus transform possible costs for various types of expensive waste management or disposal into either mere profit or at least minimise costs for getting rid of the wastes. Secondly, there is a tendency among the contemporary states to ignore signing and ratifying agreements and treaties that do not lead to immediate benefits; i.e. access to markets. Therefore these agreements rarely consist of the most important actors on the international scene, and sometimes even have problems of entering into force because of lack of interest. Finally, there is a tendency among those less well-equipped concerning material and financial resources, not to complain if imports that are labelled as aid does not fulfil their requirements.