TRP Chapter Chapter 1.1 Introduction

TRP Chapter Why raise hazardous waste management standards? To reduce risks of inadequate controls on hazardous wastes including: Health impacts for those living near uncontrolled dumps, and for waste workers Environmental damage from dumped waste eg groundwater pollution, contaminated land Operational problems at waste treatment facilities where incoming wastes are not controlled Trend to ‘export’ waste to other regions or countries if proper facilities not available For economic reasons

TRP Chapter An integrated approach to hazardous waste management Source: David C Wilson 1999

TRP Chapter The size of the waste problem Wastes of all kinds are a significant problem worldwide Waste volumes are increasing in many countries along with industrial and population growth Slow uptake of Cleaner Production and waste minimisation Slow growth in off-site treatment and disposal facilities Hazardous waste increases as a result of, for example: growth in trade in chemical products increase in hazardous components in household waste improving health care, generates more medical wastes Waste from obsolete products can be as important as waste from processing

TRP Chapter The context: All countries generate hazardous waste

TRP Chapter Global Waste Survey: aim The overall objective of the Global Waste Survey was: To develop a plan of action for co-ordinating and assisting the efforts of international agencies and countries around the world to identify and implement environmentally sound waste management options to minimise and, where possible, avoid the generation of hazardous wastes and to eliminate the dumping of industrial waste at sea.

TRP Chapter Global Waste Survey: first task Global Waste Inventory (GWI) was based on a questionnaire on industrial and hazardous wastes circulated to 153 countries formed a unique worldwide database provided pointers of future trends identified: countries with serious problems countries with legislation in place countries generating particular types of waste countries with specific facilities confirmed that all countries generate hazardous wastes

TRP Chapter Country Profiles

TRP Chapter International waste management Some highly controversial incidents of waste export were recorded in the 1980s Many countries wanted assistance, others to share experience There was no international monitoring arrangement, no single classification system No clear view of what environmentally sound management really was Cairo Guidleines provided a broad set of principles but not implementation advice

TRP Chapter Came into force in 1992 As of 2001, 146 parties to the Convention Key objectives: To minimise quantity and hazard of wastes generated To ensure environmentally sound management and adequate disposal facilities To dispose of wastes as close as possible to their point of generation To reduce transboundary movements To prohibit exports from developed to developing countries To provide support to Member States The Basel Convention

TRP Chapter Evolution of hazardous waste management controls in developed countries HWM systems go back only 30 years Around 25 countries with well developed HWM systems Maybe 20 more with systems under development All national systems have many common features eg regulatory controls introduced in stages gradual facility development administration and information systems BUT no two national systems are identical

TRP Chapter Developed world experience Hazardous waste management systems and controls evolved over a long period, in stages Gradual tightening up of controls on air and water pollution, and solid waste, revealed pollution Increasing costs of waste disposal led to interest in waste minimisation

TRP Chapter Developed world lessons Hazardous waste management controls must be introduced in stages Legislative and enforcement measures must be developed in parallel with establishment of facilities and support services As controls on emissions to air, land and water are gradually tightened, areas of pollution can be identified and addressed Public communication should begin at the outset Waste minimisation should be addressed at an early stage - waste minimisation reduces the size (and hence cost) of treatment facilities needed

TRP Chapter Who is concerned about waste management? Key stakeholders include: waste generators waste disposal workers including those handling and transporting waste industrial development agencies and institutions environmental protection agencies neighbours of waste facilities ordinary citizens everywhere

TRP Chapter How easy for my country? Source: David C Wilson 1993 Advantages Learn from the experience of others Disadvantages Lack of infrastructure Lack of money Lack of skills

TRP Chapter Transitional technologies Source: David C Wilson 1993

TRP Chapter Examples of transitional technology Treatment plant and storage sumps for textile dyeing waste water, Bangkok Source: David C Wilson

TRP Chapter Difficulties Need to fit the pieces together: basic information development implementation enforcement communication and training

TRP Chapter Resources needed Financial investment Technical assistance Training for personnel Public information and communication with industry

TRP Chapter Links with GNP Country A High income nation US$16,500eg 2% US$330 Country B Middle income nation US$1,700eg 4% US$68 Proportion of GNP spent on all environmental services* GNP per person * Includes water supply, sanitation, waste management, environmental health Revenue available per person

TRP Chapter Overall objectives Parallel components of a national strategy include: Build capacity to deal with hazardous wastes Bring locally-generated hazardous waste under control Control trans-national corporations Implement the Basel Convention (control import and export)

TRP Chapter No two countries are the same Developing economies vary widely It may not be appropriate or possible for small countries to support a range of regulatory measures and treatment and disposal facilities The chosen approach must reflect local circumstances

TRP Chapter Guiding principles Do something now Provide initial funding Use carrot and stick Communicate with major stakeholders

TRP Chapter Chapter 1.1 Summary The need for higher hazardous waste management standards, for an integrated approach, and also for quantifying waste Lessons from developed world experience Setting overall objectives The need for resources Guiding principles