Agenda 21 – Chapter 21 ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF SOLID WASTES AND SEWAGE-RELATED ISSUES 21.1. This chapter has been inco rporated in Agenda 21 in response to General Assembly resolution 44/228, section I, paragraph 3, in which the Assembly affirmed that the Conference should elaborate strategies and measures to halt and reverse the effects of environmental degradation in the context of increased national and international efforts to promote sustainable and environmentally sound development in all countries, and to section I, paragraph 12 (g), of the same resolution, in which the Assembly affirmed that environmentally sound ma nagement of wastes was among the environmental issues of major concern in maintaining the quality of the Earth's environment and especially in achieving environmentally sound and sustainable development in all countries.
21.2. Programme areas included in the p resent chapter of Agenda 21 are closely related to the following
programme areas of other chapters of Agenda 21:
a. Protection of the quality and supply of freshwater resources: application of integrated
approaches to the development, management and use of w ater resources (chapter 18);
b. Promoting sustainable human settlement development (chapter 7);
c. Protecting and promoting human health conditions (chapter 6);
d. Changing consumption patterns (chapter 4).
21.3. Solid wastes, as defined in this chapter, include all domestic refuse and non -hazardous wastes such as
commercial and institutional wastes, street sweepings and construction debris. In some countries, the
solid wastes management system also handles human wastes such as night -soil, ashes from
incinerators, sep tic tank sludge and sludge from sewage treatment plants. If these wastes manifest
hazardous characteristics they should be treated as hazardous wastes.
21.4. Environmentally sound waste management must go beyond the mere safe disposal or recovery of wastes that are generated and seek to address the root cause of the problem by attempting to change unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. This implies the application of the integrated life cycle management concept, which presents a unique opportunit y to reconcile development with environmental protection.
21.5. Accordingly, the framework for requisite action should be founded on a hierarchy of objectives and
focused on the four major waste -related programme areas, as follows:
a. Minimizing wastes;
b. Maximizing environmentally sound waste reuse and recycling;
c. Promoting environmentally sound waste disposal and treatment;
d. Extending waste service coverage.
21.6. The four programme areas are interrelated and mutually supportive and must therefore be integrated
in order to provide a comprehensive and environmentally responsive framework for managing
municipal solid wastes. The mix and emphasis given to each of the four programme areas will vary
according to the local socio -economic and physical conditions, rates of wa ste generation and waste
composition. All sectors of society should participate in all the programme areas.
PROGRAMME AREAS
A. Minimizing wastes
Basis for action
21.7. Unsustainable patterns of production and consumption are increasing the quantities and variety of environmentally persistent wastes at unprecedented rates. The trend could significantly increase the quantities of wastes produced by the end of the century and increase quantities four to fivefold by the year 2025. A preventive waste management approach focused on changes in lifestyles and in production and consumption patterns offers the best chance for reversing current trends.
Objectives
21.8. The objectives in this area are:
a.
To stabilize or reduce the production of wastes destined for final disposal, over an agreed
time-frame, by formulating goals based on waste weight, volume and composition and to
induce separation to facilitate waste recycling and reuse;
b.
To strengthen procedures for assessing waste quantity and composition changes for the
purpose of formulating operational waste minimization policies utilizing economic or
other instruments to induce beneficial modifications of production and consumption
patterns.
21.9. Governments, according to their capacities and available resources and with t he cooperation of the
United Nations and other relevant organizations, as appropriate, should:
a.
By the year 2000, ensure sufficient national, regional and international capacity to access,
process and monitor waste trend information and implement waste minimization policies;
b.
By the year 2000, have in place in all industrialized countries programmes to stabilize or
reduce, if practicable, production of wastes destined for final disposal, including per
capita wastes (where this concept applies), at the level prevailing at that date; developing
countries as well should work towards that goal without jeopardizing their development
prospects;
c.
Apply by the year 2000, in all countries, in particular in industrialized countries,
programmes to reduce the production of agrochemical wastes, containers and packaging
materials, which do not meet hazardous characteristics.
Activities
(a) Management-related activities
21.10.
Governments should initiate programmes to achieve sustained minimization of waste generation.
Non-governmental organizations and consumer groups should be encouraged to participate in such
programmes, which could be drawn up with the cooperation of international organizations, where
necessary. These programmes should, wherever possible, build upon existing or planned activities
and should:
a.
Develop and strengthen national capacities in research and design of environmentally
sound technologies, as well as adopt measures to reduce wastes to a minimum;
b.
Provide for incentives to reduce unsustainable patterns of production and consumption;
c.
Develop, where necessary, national plans to minimize waste generation as part of overall
national development plans;
d.
Emphasize waste minimization considerations in procurement within the United Nations
system.
(b) Data and information
21.11.
Monitoring is a key prerequisite for keeping track of changes in waste quantity and quality and
their resultant impact on health and the environment. Governments, with the support of international
agencies, should:
a.
Develop and apply methodologies for country-level waste monitoring;
b.
Undertake data gathering and analysis, establish national goals and monitor progress;
c.
Utilize data to assess environmental soundness of national waste policies as a basis for
corrective action;
d.
Input information into global information systems.
(c) International and regional cooperation and coordination
21.12.
The United Nations and intergovernmental organizations, with the collaboration of Governments,
should help promote waste minimization by facilitating greater exchange of information, know-how
and experience. The following is a non-exhaustive list of specific activities that could be undertaken:
a.
Identifying, developing and harmonizing methodologies for waste monitoring and
transferring such methodologies to countries;
b.
Identifying and further developing the activities of existing information networks on
clean technologies and waste minimization;
c.
Undertaking periodic assessment, collating and analysing country data and reporting
systematically, in an appropriate United Nations forum, to the countries concerned;
d.
Reviewing the effectiveness of all waste minimization instruments and identifying
potential new instruments that could be used and techniques by which they could be
made operational at the country level. Guidelines and codes of practice should be
developed;
e.
Undertaking research on the social and economic impacts of waste minimization at the
consumer level.
Means of implementation
(a) Financing and cost evaluation
21.13. The Conference secretariat suggests that industrialized countries should consider investing in waste minimization the equivalent of about 1 per cent of the expenditures on solid wastes and sewage disposal. At current levels, this would amount to about $6.5 billion annually, including about $1.8 billion related to minimizing municipal solid wastes. Actual amounts would be determined by relevant municipal, provincial and national budget authorities based on local circumstances.
(b) Scientific and technological means
21.14.
Waste minimization technologies and procedures will need to be identified and widely
disseminated. This work should be coordinated by national Governments, with the cooperation and
collaboration of non-governmental organizations, research institutions and appropriate organizations
of the United Nations, and could include the following:
a.
Undertaking a continuous review of the effectiveness of all waste minimization
instruments and identifying potential new instruments that could be used and
techniques by which instruments could be made operational at the country level.
Guidelines and codes of practice should be developed;
b.
Promoting waste prevention and minimization as the principal objective of
national waste management programmes;
c. Promoting public education and a range of regulat ory and non -regulatory
incentives to encourage industry to change product design and reduce industrial
process wastes through cleaner production technologies and good housekeeping
practices and to encourage industries and consumers to use types of packagin g
that can be safely reused;
d. Executing, in accordance with national capacities, demonstration and pilot
programmes to optimize waste minimization instruments;
e. Establishing procedures for adequate transport, storage, conservation and
management of agricul tural products, foodstuffs and other perishable goods in
order to reduce the loss of those products, which results in the production of
solid waste;
f. Facilitating the transfer of waste -reduction technologies to industry, particularly
in developing countrie s, and establishing concrete national standards for
effluents and solid waste, taking into account, inter alia, raw material use and
energy consumption.
(c) Human resource development
21.15. Human resource development for waste minimization not only should be targeted at professionals in the waste management sector but also should seek to obtain the support of citizens and industry. Human resource development programmes must therefore aim to raise consciousness and educate and inform concerned groups and the pu blic in general. Countries should incorporate within school curricula, where appropriate, the principles and practices of preventing and minimizing wastes and material on the environmental impacts of waste.
B. Maximizing environmentally sound waste reuse and recycling
Basis for action
21.16. The exhaustion of traditional disposal sites, stricter environmental controls governing waste disposal and increasing quantities of more persistent wastes, particularly in industrialized countries, have all contributed t o a rapid increase in the cost of waste disposal services. Costs could double or triple by the end of the decade. Some current disposal practices pose a threat to the environment. As the economics of waste disposal services change, waste recycling and reso urce recovery are becoming increasingly cost -effective. Future waste management programmes should take maximum advantage of resource -efficient approaches to the control of wastes. These activities should be carried out in conjunction with public education programmes. It is important that markets for products from reclaimed materials be identified in the development of reuse and recycling programmes.
Objectives
21.17. The objectives in this area are:
a. To strengthen and increase national waste reuse and recyclin g systems;
b. To create a model internal waste reuse and recycling programme for waste streams,
including paper, within the United Nations system;
c. To make available information, techniques and appropriate policy instruments to
encourage and make operational waste reuse and recycling schemes.
21.18. Governments, according to their capacities and available resources and with the cooperation of the
United Nations and other relevant organizations, as appropriate, should:
a.
By the year 2000, promote sufficient financial and technological capacities at the
regional, national and local levels, as appropriate, to implement waste reuse and recycling
policies and actions;
b.
By the year 2000, in all industrialized countries, and by the year 2010, in all developing
countries, have a national programme, including, to the extent possible, targets for
efficient waste reuse and recycling.
Activities
(a) Management-related activities
21.19.
Governments and institutions and non-governmental organizations, including consumer, women's
and youth groups, in collaboration with appropriate organizations of the United Nations system,
should launch programmes to demonstrate and make operational enhanced waste reuse and recycling.
These programmes should, wherever possible, build upon existing or planned activities and should:
a.
Develop and strengthen national capacity to reuse and recycle an increasing proportion of
wastes;
b.
Review and reform national waste policies to provide incentives for waste reuse and
recycling;
c.
Develop and implement national plans for waste management that take advantage of, and
give priority to, waste reuse and recycling;
d.
Modify existing standards or purchase specifications to avoid discrimination against
recycled materials, taking into account the saving in energy and raw materials;
e.
Develop public education and awareness programmes to promote the use of recycled
products.
(b) Data and information
21.20.
Information and research is required to identify promising socially acceptable and cost-effective
forms of waste reuse and recycling relevant to each country. For example, supporting activities
undertaken by national and local governments in collaboration with the United Nations and other
international organizations could include:
a.
Undertaking an extensive review of options and techniques for reuse and recycling all
forms of municipal solid wastes. Policies for reuse and recycling should be made an
integral component of national and local waste management programmes;
b.
Assessing the extent and practice of waste reuse and recycling operations currently
undertaken and identifying ways by which these could be increased and supported;
c.
Increasing funding for research pilot programmes to test various options for reuse and
recycling, including the use of small-scale, cottage-based recycling industries; compost
production; treated waste-water irrigation; and energy recovery from wastes;
d.
Producing guidelines and best practices for waste reuse and recycling;
e.
Intensifying efforts, at collecting, analysing and disseminating, to key target groups,
relevant information on waste issues. Special research grants could be made available on
a competitive basis for innovative research projects on recycling techniques;
f.
Identifying potential markets for recycled products.
(c) International and regional cooperation and coordination