International Movements of Hazardous Waste

1
International Movements of Hazardous Waste

• by
• Thomas R. Halbach
• ESPM 4601, "Soils and Pollution
• Sept. 24, 2008
• St. Paul, MN

2
What is Hazardous Waste?

• Definitions from US-EPA
• Types of Hazardous Waste
• listed wastes, F, K, P, U lists from 40 CFR
  261.31
• characteristic wastes,
• universal wastes,
• mixed wastes, and
• exempt.
• Generators
• Transporters
• Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD)
• Waste Minimization
• Hazardous Waste Recycling
• Corrective Action
• RCRA compels those responsible for releasing
  hazardous pollutants into the soil, water, or air
  to clean up those releases.
• Test Methods

3
Hazardous Waste- by Characteristics

• Ignitability - a flash point less than 60 C (140
  F).
• Corrosivity - pH less than or equal to 2, or
  greater than or equal to 12.5
• Reactivity chemically unstable under "normal"
  conditions.
• Toxicity - Toxicity Characteristic Leaching
  Procedure (TCLP) (Method 1311)

4
History

• In the 1980s,
• tightening of environmental regulations
• 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.

5
History

• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary
  Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal"
  
• http//www.basel.int/

6
History

• The Convention has 170 Parties and aims to
  protect human health and the environment against
  the adverse effects resulting from the improper
  disposal of hazardous wastes.
• The Basel Convention came into force in 1992.
• The USA is not a Party to the Basel Convention

7
History

• The US Senate ratified The Basel Convention in
  1992.
• US Presidents have not been willing to sign the
  USA as a Party.
• Why Not?

8
US-EPA

• Hazardous waste is waste that is more dangerous
  or potentially harmful to public health or the
  environment.

9
Why Do We Still Have International Movement of
Hazardous Wastes?

• What are the four primary tools that the Basel
  Convention on the Control of Transboundary
  Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
  and what does each require?
• What are the strengths and weakness of each of
  these tools?