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Basel Convention

In this section of this module, we’ll be taking a more in-depth look into the Basel Convention.

Overview

  • The overarching objective of the Basel Convention is to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes. Its scope of application covers a wide range of wastes defined as “hazardous wastes” based on their origin and/or composition and their characteristics, as well as two types of wastes defined as “other wastes” – household waste and incinerator ash.
  • E-waste being considered hazardous waste, the Basel Convention includes e-waste in their regulation.

Basel Convention - History

The management of hazardous waste has been on the international agenda from early 1980s, as one of the three priority areas in the UNEP 1981.

In response to a public outcry following the discovery in Africa and other developing world of deposits of toxic wastes imported from abroad (1980s).

Awakening environmental awareness and regulations in the industrialized world led to an increasing public resistance to the dumping of hazardous waste (Not in my back yard, NIMBY) and to an escalation of disposal costs.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (in full length) was adopted on 22 March 1989 and entered into force on 5 May 1992.

Basel Convention – Aims and Provisions

The reduction of hazardous waste generation and the promotion of environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes, wherever the place of disposal.

The restriction of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes except where it is perceived to be in accordance with the principles of environmentally sound management.

A regulatory system applying to cases where transboundary movements are permissible.

Basel Convention – Definition

Waste falls under the scope of the convention if..

  • .. it is within the category of wastes listed in Annex I and exhibits one of the hazardous characteristics contained in Annex III (e.g. explosive, flammable, toxic or corrosive).
  • .. it is defined as or considered to be a hazardous waste under the laws of either the exporting, the importing or any of the transit countries.
  • .. it is included to be in Annex II, which lists other wastes, such as household wastes and residue that comes from incinerating household waste.