Description:
This graphic shows the total transboundary movement in 1997 of hazardous wastes and other wastes among all reporting parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. The graphic shows the total amounts of hazardous wastes and other wastes transferred, in millions of metric tonnes, based on export data, and based on import data. The amounts are shown according to Y categories, which are used to categorize different types of hazardous wastes and other wastes. The graphic also illustrates how much of the waste was disposed of and the method of disposal used, how much of each type of material was recycled, and how much of the waste was handled through 'unspecified or mixed operations'. These figures are given according to import data and according to export data. Note: the category Y19-Y45 refers to wastes having as constituents various hazardous substances. Further explanation of Y categories can be found in Appendix 2 of the Guide to the Basel Convention Control System for Hazardous Wastes at http://www.basel.int/pub/instruct.html#appendix2. Explanatory note from the full report: 'The total transboundary movements of hazardous wastes that circulated world-wide in 1997 is relatively well described through country reports, although a 10 - 15 % difference still exists between total quantities reported by exporting and importing countries. The largest portion of waste flow consisted of wastes streams, followed by wastes having specific constituents. 60 - 70 % of all that was shipped across a border was recycled. The most common operation was the reclamation of inorganic compounds. About 20 - 25 % of all waste was disposed [of] at underground storage sites and at special landfills, underwent physico-chemical treatment, or was incinerated. Details about what happened to the remaining 5 - 15 % of the globally waste flow are not available.'