Disposal of wastes e.g. CFCs from other countries

Shipments of wastes subject to the Basel Convention and sent from countries without appropriate disposal technology or developing countries for recovery operations to other countries can result in fewer emissions to air, water and soil and in the creation of less hazardous residue which is managed in an environmentally sound manner. This would be the case if the waste were recovered in countries which lack adequate waste management infrastructure for such wastes.

Article 4, paragraph 9 of the Basel Convention stipulates that:

"Parties shall take the appropriate measures to ensure that the trans boundary movement of hazardous wastes only be allowed if:

• The State of export does not have the technical capacity and the necessary facilities, capacity or suitable disposal sites in order to dispose of the wastes in question in an environmentally sound and efficient manner; or
• The wastes in question are required as a raw material for recycling or recovery industries in the State of import; or
• The trans boundary movement in question is in accordance with other criteria to be decided by the Parties, provided those criteria do not differ from the objectives of this Convention."