Transboundary waste simply put, is when one country takes its garbage (commonly hazardous waste) and transport it to another country for dumping. This creates a problem when in some cases, this transport and dumping is done illegally, thus having a negative effect on the country receiving the hazardous waste. As a result the Basel Convention was created. It is an agreement between 172 countries revolving around the control of transboundary movement of hazardous materials. The main purpose of the Convention is to reduce the amount of illegal transboundary hazardous waste being shipped between countries, to promote local disposal of hazardous waste, to improve hazardous waste disposal technology. All of these goals combine forming one main goal, to ultimately reduce the amount of transboundary hazardous waste. The Basel Convention so effective in what it is trying to accomplish, that it is widely accepted. Generally, the Convention is non-mandatory and after years of proving its purpose and showing that they can be done, it has set a new standard. As a result, other countries that are not a part of the Convention, still strive to fulfill the Conventions guidelines and goals.
Waste management matters, Meet the global waste challenge
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The Convention has also had an impact on how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addresses hazardous waste. The EPA has turned away from the view point of following environmental codes, to a progressive approach of becoming more involved in making the codes. Since the EPA is becoming more involved in making the rules, it is also having an effect on how the United States deals with hazardous waste. In addition, the EPA is also working with the Convention by attending Conference of the Parties (COP) as well as the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG). Similar to the purposes of the Convention, these groups work to reform the way hazardous waste is handled and shipped in the world, as well as finding more innovative ways of disposing of the waste. Similarly, the EPA is working with industries and helping governmental agencies establish new laws and regulations regarding the transboundary shipping. With the combination of the Basel Convention and the involvement of the EPA, the United States and the world can begin to progress towards a more hazardous waste free world. Moving towards this goal will help not only the environment, but also the communities that transboundary shipping effects, and help so that hazardous garbage produced from the daily lives of humans is not re-encountered.
Sources:
Guidance Document on Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes destined for Recovery Operations
EPA & Basel Convention
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