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Project Fact Sheet
Project Title Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of Waste
Project Period 1999 -
Project Background and Objectives
In late 1990s it was recognised that the level of environmental safety varies widely between recovery facilities, even within OECD member countries. Therefore, the Organisation decided to start working towards international ESM guidelines to improve and harmonise the environmental protection of waste management facilities in OECD countries. The main output of this project was the Council Recommendation on ESM [C(2004)100] of waste. Final expected output in 2005-2006 will be the Guidance Manual for the implementation of the Council Recommendation C(2004)100.
Content of the Project
As a starting point for the work programme on the ESM of waste, the OECD held the first ESM workshop in 1999. The workshop considered relevant experience on ESM in OECD and non-OECD countries, elaborated the elements of ESM and discussed voluntary and regulatory approaches to ESM. Material and outcome of the first workshop is available at: First ESM Workshop in October 1999.
At the second ESM workshop in 2000, it was widely recognised that the principal focus of an OECD ESM programme should be to maximise resource efficiency, encourage waste minimization and establish a level playing field among the waste management industry within the OECD. Material and outcome of the second workshop is available at: Second ESM Workshop in September 2000.
The third workshop was held in 2002 to finalise the work carried out so far, further clarify the goals and scope of ESM, and explore the overall ESM framework. The major outcome of this workshop was a clear framework for the ESM within the OECD context in the form of a draft Council Recommendation, including the core performance elements as an Annex: Material and outcome of the third workshop are available at: Third ESM Workshop in March 2002.
Finally, on 9 June 2004, the OECD Council adopted the Council Recommendation on the Environmentally Sound Management of Waste [C(2004)100]. In addition, separate waste stream specific technical guidance for ESM of used and scrap personal computers has been developed.
ESM work in 2005-2007 consisted of the development of a Guidance Manual for the Implementation of the Council Recommendation on ESM [C(2004)100]. It was published in 2007 (http://www.oecd.org/env/waste).
Major Achievements
When implemented, the Council Recommendation on Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of waste [C(2004)100] is expected to improve the environmental performance and level the playing field among the waste management industry within the OECD area. It includes not only general policy recommendations for governments, but also practical “core performance elements” (CPEs) to be implemented by the waste management facilities. OECD recommendations are not legally binding, but there is an expectation that member countries will do their utmost to fully implement Recommendations.
This Recommendation applies to waste, whether imported or domestically generated, and to activities which collect, dispose, eventually store, and recover wastes. It recommends that facilities have an environmental management system, be audited in terms of environment, health and safety measures, and monitor and record their emissions and waste generation. Other measures are recommended to protect not only the environment but also the health of workers. To this end, facilities should ensure a safe and healthy occupational environment, adequately train the personnel to avoid unnecessary risks, and have an adequate emergency, closure and after-care plan for emergency situations or definite cessation of activity.
Publications and Other Outputs
OECD (2002), Options for Combinations of Components for an OECD Framework on the Environmentally Sound Management of Wastes and Materials Destined for Recovery Operations, ENV/EPOC/WGWPR(2002)6/FINAL, OECD, Paris.
OECD (2002), How to Apply Environmentally Sound Management to Small and medium size Enterprises in the Waste Recovery Sector, Synthesis Report, ENV/EPOC/WGWPR(2002)5/FINAL, OECD, Paris.
OECD (2003), How to Apply Environmentally Sound Management to Small and medium size Enterprises in the Waste Recovery Sector, Case Study: Dismantling of End-of-Life Vehicles in the Netherlands, ENV/EPOC/WGWPR/RD(2002)5/FINAL, OECD, Paris.
OECD (2003), How to Apply Environmentally Sound Management to Small and medium size Enterprises in the Waste Recovery Sector, Case Study: Pre-treatment and Recovery of Waste Electric and Electronic Equipments (WEEE), ENV/EPOC/WGWPR/RD(2002)6/FINAL, OECD, Paris.
OECD (2003), Barriers to the Implementation of Environmentally Sound Management Practices for Small and Medium Size Metal Recycling Enterprises, Case Study: Canadian Ship Dismantling Enterprise, ENV/EPOC/WGWPR/RD(2002)6/FINAL, OECD, Paris.
OECD (2003), Use of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) as a Key Component for Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of Wastes and Used and Scrap Materials, ENV/EPOC/WGWPR(2001)5/FINAL, OECD, Paris.
OECD (2003), Technical Guidance for the Environmentally Sound management of Specific Waste Streams: Used and Scrap Personal Computers, ENV/EPOC/WGWPR(2001)3/FINAL, OECD, Paris.
OECD (2004), Recommendation of the Council on the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of Waste, C(2004)100, OECD, Paris.
OECD (2007), Guidance Manual for the Implementation of the OECD Recommendation on C(2004)100 on Environmentally Sound Management of Waste, Paris.
Useful Websites
http://www.oecd.org/env/waste/EnvironmentallySound Management (ESM)
http://www.basel.int/
http://www.basel.int/meetings/cop/cop6/StPlan.doc
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