Transboundary hazardous wastes and environmental justice

Abstract

The generation and international movement of hazardous wastes including their disposal in economically evolving world remains a topical issue in the environmental justice debate. Globally, it is estimated that more than 90 percent of wastes produced and traded annually are from industrialised nations. Most of these hazardous wastes are shipped to developing countries for recycling and disposal. The article argues that tightening of the weaker provisions of Basel Convention is urgently needed to assist the developing world, especially in Africa. This requires both technical transfer and capacity building given the consequences of hazardous wastes to human health and environment. Similarly, the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure should be upgraded to meet the sound Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) standard. This entails evaluating the potential risk and ability, thus allowing the importing countries to make an informed decision. The implication of this is that Basel has the potential to promote environmental justice if the key institutional reforms are made without a total ban on wastes trade in developing world.