ACME Applying CLEANER PRODUCTION to MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS

ACME Applying CLEANER PRODUCTION to MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS Introduction to Basel Convention SESSION 7 United Nations Environment Program Division of Technology Industry and Economy Swedish International Development Agency

OUTLINE Objectives of this session 1/ Introduction > What global problem was BC originally designed to address? 2/ Basel Convention > What are the objectives of BC and how is it organised? 3/ Waste types covered by Basel Convention > What is the classification of those wastes? 4/ Implementation > How is it implemented at global and national level? 5/ Affiliated instruments > What are the 3 affiliated instruments? 6/ CP and Basel Convention > What are the link between CP and Basel Convention? ACME - Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 2 / 22

INTRODUCTION A critical problema “Thousands flee Cambodia dump scare” Thousands of people living in the southern province of Sihanoukville have been fleeing the area amid growing alarm at the possible health risks from 3, 000 tons of suspected toxic waste from Taiwan. BBC News, December 22 th, 1998 ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 3 / 22

INTRODUCTION Historical background In the late 1980 s, a tightening of environmental regulations in industrialized countries led to a dramatic rise in the cost of hazardous waste disposal. Searching for cheaper ways to get rid of the wastes, “toxic traders” began shipping hazardous waste to Developing Countries and to Eastern Europe. When this activity was revealed, international outrage led to the drafting and adoption of the Basel Convention. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 4 / 22

INTRODUCTION What makes a waste hazardous? 4 main characteristics of hazardous wastes IGNITABILITY CORROSIVITY REACTIVITY TOXICITY Different shapes and forms > liquids, solids, contained gases, sludge, etc. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 5 / 22

INTRODUCTION Wastes generated worldwide in 2000 2% exported 300 millions tones of wastes generated 90% classified as hazardous Note: The principal waste exported by volume was lead and lead compounds bound for recycling. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 6 / 22

BASEL CONVENTION Overview of the Basel Convention A global legal instrument on “the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and on their disposal”. Adopted in 1989, entered into force in 1992. Status of participation (2006): 168 Parties. Affiliated instruments: > Basel Ban (1995) > Liability Protocol (1995) > Environmentally Sound Management (1999) ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 7 / 22

BASEL CONVENTION 168 Parties to the Basel Convention Parties * Non-parties * Afghanistan, Haiti and the United States have signed the Convention but have not yet ratified it. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 8 / 22

BASEL CONVENTION Overall goal and objectives What is the overall goal ? “To protect, by strict control, human health and the environment against the adverse effects which may result from the generation and management of hazardous wastes and other wastes. ” What are the further objectives ? 1/ To reduce transboundary movements of hazardous waste to a minimum consistent with their environmentally sound management; 2/ To dispose hazardous wastes as close as possible to their source of generation; 3/ To minimize the generation of hazardous waste in terms of quantity and hazardousness. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 9 / 22

WASTE COVERED BY BASEL Classification by characteristics 4 main characteristics of hazardous wastes: > Toxic > Reactive > Corrosive > Ignitable Basel Convention gives 13 characteristics: > Listed in Annex III; > Based on ADR rules (UN Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road or Rail); > Represented as codes H 1 -H 13. Excluded from the scope of the Convention are: > Radioactive waste > Waste derived from normal operation of a ship ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 10 / 22

WASTE COVERED BY BASEL 1 - Toxicity DEFINITION Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. EXAMPLES > Spent cyanide solutions > Waste pesticides ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 11 / 22

WASTE COVERED BY BASEL 2 - Corrosivity DEFINITION Acids or alkalis that are capable of dissolving human flesh and corroding metal such as storage tanks and drums. EXAMPLES > Acids from metals cleaning processes e. g. ferric chloride from printed circuit board manufacture; > Liquor from steel manufacture. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 12 / 22

WASTE COVERED BY BASEL 3 - Ignitability DEFINITION Wastes that can cause fires under certain conditions or are spontaneously combustible. EXAMPLES > Waste oil > Used solvents > Organic cleaning materials > Paint waste ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 13 / 22

WASTE COVERED BY BASEL 4 - Reactivity DEFINITION Reactive wastes are unstable under ‘normal conditions’. They can cause: explosions, toxic fumes, gases or vapours. EXAMPLES > Peroxide solutions > Hypochlorite solutions or solids ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 14 / 22

WASTE COVERED BY BASEL 5 - Eco-toxicity DEFINITION Eco-toxic waste is harmful or fatal to other species or to the ecological integrity of their habitats. EXAMPLES > Heavy metals > Detergents > Oils > Soluble salts ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 15 / 22

WASTE COVERED BY BASEL Waste classification by origin The Basel Convention’s list of hazardous waste categories (Y 1 to Y 18) identifies wastes from specific processes (Annex 1). Some example: Y 1 - Clinical wastes : Y 6 - Wastes from the production and use of organic solvents : Y 18 - Residues from industrial waste disposal operations Note: Besides the official, international binding, definition of the Convention, countries themselves can adopt wider and stricter definitions. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 16 / 22

IMPLEMENTATION Milestones 1989 / 1999 - First decade achievements > Framework for controlling transboundary movements of hazardous wastes; > Control system (based on prior written notification); > Developed criteria for “Environmentally Sound Management” (ESM). 2000 / 2010 - Second decade priorities > Partnerships to increase co-operation and strategic alliances; > Environmentally sound management and active promotion and use of cleaner technologies and production methods; > Further reduction of the movement of hazardous and other wastes; > Prevention and monitoring of illegal traffic; > Improvement of institutional and technical capabilities especially for developing and EIT countries; > Further development of regional and sub-regional centres for training and technology transfer. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 17 / 22

IMPLEMENTATION Global level Conference of the Parties (COP) > Develops and keep under review the implementation of the Basel Convention Basel Secretariat > Co-operates with national authority in: - Developing national legislation - Setting up inventories of hazardous wastes - Strengthening national institutions - Assessing the HW management situation - Preparing HW management plans - Preparing policy tools > Assist countries with technical and legal advice > Support Basel Convention Regional Centers 3 Working groups & The Committee on Partnership with industry ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 18 / 22

IMPLEMENTATION National level National Focal Point > Entity of a Party to the Basel Convention for receiving and transmitting information as required by the Convention to and from the COP. National Competent Authority > One governmental authority designated by a Party, responsible for receiving the notifications of transboundary movements of waste. Basel Convention Regional Centers (BCRCs) > Assist developing countries and countries in transition through capacity-building for environmentally sound management, to achieve the fulfilment of the objectives of the Convention. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 19 / 22

IMPLEMENTATION Basel Convention Regional Centers 14 BCRCs worldwide Regional Centers for Training and Technology Transfers Africa and West Asia 1/ BCRC for the Arab States in Egypt 2/ BCRC in Nigeria 3/ BCRC in Senegal 4/ BCRC in South Africa Asia and Pacific Region 5/ BCRC in China 6/ BCRC in Indonesia 7/ BCRC in the South Pacific region 8/ BCRC in Tehran Central and Eastern Europe 9/ BCRC in the Russian Federation 10/ BCRC in Slovakia Latin America and the Caribbean Core functions 1/ Training 2/ Technology transfer 3/ Information; 4/ Consulting 5/ Awareness-raising. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 20 / 22 11/ BCRC in Argentina 12/ BCRC in El Salvador 13/ BCRC in Trinidad and Tobago 14/ BCRC for Latin America and Caribbean region in Uruguay

AFFILIATED INSTRUMENTS Basel Ban (1) DEFINITION Amendment on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal. OBJECTIVES Ban exports of hazardous wastes for final disposal, recovery, or recycling from states listed in Annex VII (mainly OECD countries) to states not listed in Annex VII (mainly non-OECD countries). RATIFICATION STATUS > Not into force yet; 75% (=62) ratification needed to enter into force: present status 61. > Main argument for disagreement from opposing countries (such as Australia, USA, Canada): GATT-inconsistent and trade-disruptive). ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 21 / 22

AFFILIATED INSTRUMENTS Basel Ban (2) ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 22/ 22

AFFILIATED INSTRUMENTS Liability Protocol DEFINITION Basel Protocol on liability and compensation for damage resulting from transboundary movements of hazardous waste and their disposal. OBJECTIVES Provide for a comprehensive regime for liability as well as adequate and prompt compensation for damage resulting from the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes, including incidents occurring because of illegal traffic. RATIFICATION STATUS > 20 ratifications needed to enter into force. > Not into force yet (13 signatories) ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 23 / 22

AFFILIATED INSTRUMENTS Environmentally Sound Management Basel Ministerial Declaration on ESM of hazardous wastes “Take all practicable steps to ensure that hazardous waste or other waste is managed in a manner which will protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects which may result from such waste” (art. 2) Key principles > Special attention to prevention and minimisation of hazardous and other wastes (= CP mandate) > Requires capacity building, policy reforms and promotion and use of cleaner technologies and production methods. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 24 / 22

CP & BASEL CONVENTION About industrials Why is there an interest for industry ? > Industry main producer of hazardous waste. > Directly confronted with legislation and regulations (storage, transport, disposal). > Co-responsibility for waste minimisation. > Can be win-win, e. g. not only cutting costs for removal but also preventing up-stream costs. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 25 / 33

CP & BASEL CONVENTION Common industrial sources Flammable - solvents From chemical manufacturers, laundries & dry cleaners, metal plating, tanneries, print shops etc. Corrosive - acids and alkalis From cleaning & maintenance, equipment repair, vehicle body shops etc. Reactive - bleaches and oxidizers From chemical manufacturers, laboratories etc. Toxic and eco-toxic - heavy metals, pesticides, cyanides From metals manufacturing, photographic processing, pesticide end users etc. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 26 / 33

CP & BASEL CONVENTION Waste generating industries Large quantity generators > 1000 kg /month e. g. pharmaceutical companies Medium quantity generators 100 - 1000 kg/month e. g. laboratories, printers Small quantity generators <100 kg/month e. g. dental surgeries, photographic processors ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 27 / 33

CP & BASEL CONVENTION Small and Medium scale Enterprises In developing economies, these often predominate > Typically SME have: - low level of technology - unskilled management - unspecialised workers - lack of modernisation - poor environmental performance > SME may account for one third of the total hazardous wastes generated; > There are high risks from occupational and environmental exposure. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 28 / 33

CP & BASEL CONVENTION 12 key sectors (SE Asia 1990) 1. Tanneries 2. Textile dyeing plants 3. Dyestuff producers 4. Metal working and electroplating shops 5. Foundries 6. Automobile service shops and gas stations 7. Lead-acid battery manufacturing/recycling 8. Chemical industries/laboratories 9. Paint shops 10. Printers 11. Photographic processors 12. Dry cleaners ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 29 / 33

CP & BASEL CONVENTION The CP linkage What is the role of Cleaner Production practitioners? > Use the CP methodology to identify opportunities in industry to reduce their generation of hazardous waste; > Use the Basel Convention requirements as an additional driving force for industry and government to more actively use the CP tools and methodologies; > Create links between the Convention and private sector; > Build CP capacity in the Basel Convention Regional Centers so as to in the centers to promote CP< and to create synergies between CP practitioners and BCRC. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 30 / 33

CP & BASEL CONVENTION Capacity Building and ESM What Cleaner Production practitioners can do? > Promote existing relevant Cleaner Production guidelines and manuals for tackling priority waste streams; > Develop new materials tailored to the needs of the Convention; > Offer knowledge of the information sources on ESM for the relevant waste streams; > Conduct demonstration projects for ESM in your countries in the priority waste generating sectors; > Conduct training on ESM tailored to local conditions; > Provide technical assistance services; > Provide policy advice and lobby for Cleaner Production policies and legislation in your country. ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 31 / 33

CP & BASEL CONVENTION Synthesis Strengthen link between the private sector and the Convention Cleaner Production Activities Include Basel implementation actors in CP partnerships Joint training on environmentally sound management Join forces in implementation projects Cooperation in national reporting ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 32 / 33 Basel Convention

CONCLUSION End of session 7 Thank you for your attention… Any questions? ACME – Session 7 – Introduction to Basel Convention - 33 / 33