The Basel Convention of 1989 Was an Agreement to Reduce Hazardous Waste

The Basel Convention of 1989 is an international treaty that was created to regulate the movement of hazardous waste across national borders. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is named after the Swiss city of Basel where the agreement was signed.

The primary goal of the Basel Convention is to minimize the amount of hazardous waste generated and to ensure that it is managed in an environmentally sound manner. This includes reducing the amount of waste generated, ensuring that the waste is treated and disposed of in a safe manner, and preventing illegal dumping of hazardous waste.

The Basel Convention identifies hazardous waste as any waste that is dangerous to human health or the environment. This includes waste that is toxic, flammable, explosive, corrosive, infectious, or has other hazardous properties. The convention requires that countries take measures to prevent the generation of hazardous waste in the first place and to minimize its impact on the environment.

One of the key provisions of the Basel Convention is the requirement for countries to obtain prior informed consent (PIC) before exporting hazardous waste to another country. This means that the country receiving the waste must be informed of the nature of the waste, its potential risks, and how it will be managed. The receiving country must also have the capacity to manage the waste in an environmentally sound manner.

The Basel Convention also established a system for tracking the movement of hazardous waste across borders. This system is known as the “movement control system” and requires countries to provide information on the movement of hazardous waste through a system of notifications and documentation.

Over the years, the Basel Convention has been strengthened and updated through a series of amendments. These amendments have expanded the scope of the convention to cover a wider range of hazardous waste and have introduced new measures to prevent illegal dumping and to promote the environmentally sound management of hazardous waste.

In conclusion, the Basel Convention of 1989 was an agreement to reduce hazardous waste by regulating its movement across national borders. It has been an important tool in promoting the environmentally sound management of hazardous waste and has helped to prevent the illegal dumping of such waste. As the world continues to face environmental challenges, the Basel Convention remains a crucial instrument in protecting human health and the environment.