Description:
This graphic shows the total transboundary movement in 1997 of hazardous wastes and other wastes from non-OECD to 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 from non-OECD countries, and based on import data to OECD countries. 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 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: 'Total amounts reported [by] exporting non-OECD countries and importing OECD members differ 10-fold. Both groups, however, report that 85 % of all wastes were those having specific constituents, and 10 - 15 % were waste streams. Non-OECD countries could not specify what happened to 75% of the wastes they sent to the OECD group. Of the amount for which such data are available, equal quantities were recycled through the reclamation of inorganic compounds or disposed [of] through physico-chemical treatment, either at specially designed landfills or by incineration. OECD countries confirm that 12 % of the received wastes were disposed [of] (primarily incinerated) whereas 84 % were recycled.' 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.