HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

ACTION POINT FOR STRENGTHENING HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS IN POLLUTION CONTROL BOARDS/COMMITEES :
The pollution Control Boards/Committees set up under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act. 1974 are entrusted with the implementation of Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The existing infrastructure requires strengthening for effective enforcement. The laboratory facilities are insufficient for analysis of hazardous wastes (HW). Analytical methods are required to be standardized for characterization of wastes specialized training for the concerned personnel is also required. Following action points are suggested:

(a) Inventorisation, authorization for storage & disposal of hazardous waste

  1. Inventorisation, authorization for storage & disposal of HW;
  2. Issuing authorization to the HW generators;
  3. Identification of HW disposal sites;
  4. Feasibility reports based on EIA of HW disposal sites; and
  5. Gazette notification of hazardous waste disposal facility (HWDF)
(b) HWD Facility
Considering the large number of small and medium-sized hazardous waste generators in the States, it is necessary to set up the common hazardous waste disposal facility involving professionally competent, private sector organization and State Industries Development Authorities through contractual arrangement for;

  1. Design;
  2. Construction; and
  3. Operation of sites, including risk & liability management
The key goal of the project (Build, Operate, and Transfer: BOT) will be to promote development of sustainable and cost-effective hazardous waste management systems, which will include
  1. Treatment
  2. Containment; and
  3. Disposal
(c) Infrastructure Laboratories
  1. Procurement of specialized equipment/instrument for sampling and analysis before handling, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste;
  2. Standardization of methods for analysis of parameters required in hazardous waste management. (For example: Corrosivity, lgnitability, TCLP etc.,)
(d) Training
Training of scientists and engineers in India and abroad for enforcement of HWM is required in the field of:

  1. Hazardous waste disposal and legal administration;
  2. Mass awareness;
  3. Laboratory development; and
  4. Hazardous waste related pollution survey, assessment and monitoring.
(e) Implementation of Hazardous Waste management Rules.
In order to successfully implement HW (M&H) Rules 1989, in letter and spirit, the SPCBs have to;
  1. Specify by way of a format what information SPCBS would like to have that the occupier must provide to operate [Rule 4
  2. Specify as to what minimum levels of merit ifs expected from the operator before grant of authorisation can be considered with respect to:
    appropriate facilities;
    technical capabilities; and
    equipment to handle. [Rule 5 (4)]
  3. SPCBs to prepare a checklist to decide on possible refusal of consent/authorisation [Rule 5 (7);
  4. Prepare specification to be issued as Order where an operator's authorisation is suspended/cancelled and appeal is hazardous waste [Rules 6 (2)];
  5. Implement guidelines framed by MoEf regarding packing, labeling and transport and incorporate as condition [Rule 7(2)];
  6. SPCBs to ensure and assist State Govt. for exploration of the following;
    Whether there exists a continuing programme to identify sites and to compile, publish inventory of sites;
    Whether impact assessment study is done; and
    Whether a continuing programme to advertise/publish the present status of each sits exists [Rules 8(1) (2) (3)]
  7. SPCBs to prepare mechanism for scrutinizing From 4 returns and its interpretation [Rule 10(2)]
  8. SPCBs to prepare mechanism for scrutinizing Form 5 return and its interpretation [Rule 10(2)]
  9. SPCBs to prepare a checklist to decide on possible grant/refusal of import of hazardous waste [Rule 11(4)]
  10. SPCBs to prepare formats seeking further information and frame what further instructions be given to importer as preconditions [Rule 11(5)]
  11. SPCBs to prepare mechanism of scrutinizing Form 7 [Rule (7)]
(f) Specific Suggestions
  1. Import of hazardous waste for recycling/reprocessing can be allowed only to the traders who may not possess facilities for proper storage, handling, treatment, disposal etc.
  2. Ports need to designate an environment Cell for handling of hazardous wastes. The SPCBs should closely interact with the port authorities. For this purpose local coordination committee may be set up.
  3. Emergency response system in the SPCBs is required to be set up for tackling accidents involving hazardous chemicals/ wastes. This system should have:
    Data base for hazardous chemicals/ wastes with necessary Computer hardware;
    Hook up through the INTERNET to the other data basses in the country and abroad;
    Rapid communication system. (Cellular phone, pagers, etc.) Linking with other concerned departments such as Deptt. Of industries, Transport, Health, ENVIRONMENT, Law & Order and District Magistrate);
    Provision of special vehicles installed with instruments required for monitoring at the emergency sites;
    Special training for scientist and engineers dealing with emergency response.
  4. Formulation of Hazardous Waste Management Programs under Bilateral Assistance.
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