Description:
This graphic shows the total transboundary movement in 1997 of hazardous wastes and other wastes among OECD countries that were reporting parties in 1997 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 presented according to export data and according to import data. A map showing the locations of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries is included in Figure 9 at http://www.grida.no/db/maps/collection/basel/09.pdf. Explanatory note from the full report: 'A flow from OECD member countries to OECD member [countries] was in 1997 the largest flow of hazardous waste and other waste world-wide. Reporting of waste movements among OECD countries was relatively consistent (with some major difference[s]). Most of the transported wastes were waste streams or wastes with specific constituents; another 10 - 15% of all wastes originated from households and required special treatment. The rate of recycling was very high. About 70 % of all wastes was recycled primarily through reclamation of inorganic compounds. Wastes disposed without recycling were most often incinerated or sent for underground storage.' Note: 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.