Abstract
Decision-makers require useful tools, such as indicators, to help them make environmentally sound decisions leading to effective management of hazardous wastes. Four hazardous waste indicators are being tested for such a purpose by several countries within the Sustainable Development Indicator Programme of the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development. However, these indicators only address the ‘downstream’ end-of-pipe industrial situation.
More creative thinking is clearly needed to develop a wider range of indicators that not only reflects all aspects of industrial production that generates hazardous waste but considers socio-economic implications of the waste as well. Sets of useful and innovative indicators are proposed that could be applied to the emerging paradigm shift away from conventional end-of-pipe management actions and towards preventive strategies that are being increasingly adopted by industry often in association with local and national governments. A methodological and conceptual framework for the development of a core-set of hazardous waste indicators has been developed. Some of the indicator sets outlined quantify preventive waste management strategies (including indicators for cleaner production, hazardous waste reduction/minimization and life cycle analysis), whilst other sets address proactive strategies (including changes in production and consumption patterns, eco-efficiency, eco-intensity and resource productivity). Indicators for quantifying transport of hazardous wastes are also described.
It was concluded that a number of the indicators proposed could now be usefully implemented as management tools using existing industrial and economic data. As cleaner production technologies and waste minimization approaches are more widely deployed, and industry integrates environmental concerns at all levels of decision-making, it is expected that the necessary data for construction of the remaining indicators will soon become available.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Adriaanse A, Bringezu S, Hammond A, Moriguchi Y, Rodenburg E, Rogich D, Schultz H (1997): Resource Flows: the Material Basis for Industrial Economies. World Resources Institute, Washington, USA
APO (1999): Asian Productivity Organization: Productivity for Enhancing Quality of Life. Asian Productivity Organization, Tokyo, Japan
BMU (1998): Status report; the EU’s Eco-audit. Common Ground3/98, 11
Boustead I, Chaffee C (1998): Life cycle assessments and eco-indices. Newsletter International Council on Metals and the Environment6, 1–2
Bro-Rasmussen F (1999): Precautionary principle and/or risk assessment: a penitence in contemporary culture. Environ Sci & Pollut Res6, 188–192
Burritt RL (1996): Corporate environmental performance indicators: cost allocation — boon or bane? In: Institute of Environmental Studies, Eds: Tracking Progress: Linking Environment and Economy through Indicators and Accounting Systems, Conference Papers, Australian Academy of Science Fenner Conference on the Environment, 30th September–3rd October 1996, Institute of Environmental Studies, The University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia
CIA (1998): The UK Indicators of Performance, 1990–97. Chemical Industries Association, London UK
Cirillo RR et al. (1994): Hazardous Waste Management in the Pacific Basin. Internal Report, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois and the East-West Center Hawaii. Argonne Publications Division, Argonne, Illinois, USA
Davis K, Hyfantis G (1993): Costs of the toxic legacy — lessons from the remediation of superfund sites. In: Jackson T, Ed: Clean Production Strategies: Developing Preventive Environmental Management in the Industrial Economy, Lewis, Boca Raton, USA, pp. 85–103
Dethlefsen V, Jackson T, Taylor P (1993): The precautionary principle — towards anticipatory environmental management. In: Jackson, T, Ed: Clean Production Strategies: Developing Preventive Environmental Management in the Industrial Economy, Lewis, Boca Raton, USA, pp. 41–62
Dorfman M, White A, Becker M, Jackson T (1993): Profiting from pollution prevention — better environmental protection; improved economic competitiveness. In: Jackson T, Ed: Clean Production Strategies: Developing Preventive Environmental Management in the Industrial Economy, Lewis, Boca Raton, USA, pp. 189–206
Dröll P (1998): Environmental agreements: the European Commission’s policy and programme. UNEP Industry and Environment21, 10–15
EC (1993): Council Regulation (EEC) no.1836/93 of 29th June 1993 allowing voluntary participation by companies in the industrial sector in a Community Eco-management and Audit Scheme. Official Journal of the European Communities L168/ 1–18, 10th July 1993
EEA (1997): Environmental Agreements — Environmental Effectiveness. Environmental Issues Series 3, European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark
EPA (1999): 33/50 Programme: the Final Record. Report no. EPA-745-R-99-004. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, USA
Factor 10 Club (1997): Statement to Governments and Business leaders: a ten-fold leap in energy and resource efficiency (1997 Carnoules Statement of the Factor 10 Club). Wuppertal Institute, Wuppertal, Germany
Feates F, Barratt R (1995): Integrating Pollution Management: Improving Environmental Performance. McGraw-Hill, London, UK
Gee D, Moll S (1998): Background paper for eco-efficiency Workshop. Presented at the eco-efficiency workshop ‘Making Sustainability Accountable’, 28–30th October 1998, European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark
Girardi G (1996): Developing accounting techniques to facilitate waste minimization in industry: an introduction to the ‘best practice guidelines for waste minimization cost accounting’ project. In: Institute of Environmental Studies, Eds: Tracking Progress: Linking Environment and Economy through Indicators and Accounting Systems, Conference Papers, Australian Academy of Science Fenner Conference on the Environment, 30th September–3rd October 1996, Institute of Environmental Studies, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Granados ÀJ, Peterson PJ (1999): Hazardous waste indicators for national decision-makers. J. Environ. Manag.55, 249–263
Gray J (1990): Statistics and the precautionary principle. Mar. Pollut. Bull.21, 174–184
Guevara MIP (1999): The Basel Convention ban amendment: agreements against ratification. Newsletter International Council on Metals and the Environment7, 5–8
Haigh N (1996): Hazardous Waste. In: Manual of Environmental Policy: the EC and Britain. Chapter 5.4, Release 9, Catermill, London, UK, pp. 1–10
Hirschhorn J, Jackson T, Baas L (1993): Towards prevention: the emerging environmental management paradigm. In: Jackson, T. Ed: Clean Production Strategies: Developing Preventive Environmental Management in the Industrial Economy, Lewis, Boca Raton, USA, pp. 125–142
Hölz HM (1999): Environmental protection as a future factor. UNEP Industry and Environment22, 15–19
IAEA (1990): Code of Practice in the International Transboundary Movement of Radioactive Waste. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
IAEA (1997): Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
ICC (1991): ICC Guide to Effective Environmental Auditing. International Chamber of Commerce, Paris, France
ILO (1999): Voluntary Initiatives Affecting Training and Education on Safety, Health and Environment in the Chemical Industries. Report no. TMCI/1999, International Labour Office, Geneva, Switzerland
IMO (1983): Seventh Consultative meeting on Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter: Summary Reports of Permits Issued in 1980. International Maritime Organization, London, UK
Jackson T (1993): Hazardous futures — waste and the development of the industrial economy. In: Jackson T, Ed: Clean Production Strategies: Developing Preventive Environmental Management in the Industrial Economy, Lewis, Boca Raton, USA, pp. 105–121
Jeyaratnam J (1994): Transfer of hazardous industries. In: Pearce N, Matos E, Vainio H, Boffetta P, Kogevinas M, Eds: Occupational Cancer in Developing Countries, IARC Scientific Publications no. 129. International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France, pp. 23–29
Krut R, Gleckman H (1998): ISO 14001 a Missed Opportunity for Sustainable Global Industrial Development. Earthscan, London, UK
Kummer K (1995): International Management of Hazardous Wastes: the Basel Convention and Related Legal Rules. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK
Lehni M (1998): Making sustainability accountable: eco-efficiency, resource productivity, innovation, frameworks, concepts, targets. Presented at the eco-efficiency workshop ‘Making Sustainability Accountable’, 28–30th October 1998, European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark
Michaelis L (1998): Defining eco-efficiency and resource productivity: a progress report from the OECD. Presented at the ecoefficiency workshop ‘Making Sustainability Accountable’, 28–30th October 1998, European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark
OECD (1994): Environmental Indicators: OECD Core Set. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France
OECD (1997a): Sustainable Consumption and Production. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France
OECD (1997b): Proceedings of the OECD Workshop on Non-regulatory Initiatives for Chemical Risk Management. Series on Risk Management no. 7, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France
OECD (1999): The OECD and the Environment. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France
Owens JW (1997): Life-cycle assessment in relation to risk assessment: an evolving perspective. Risk Analysis17, 359–365
Peterson PJ (1996): Matching the needs of a nation: the strategic roles of indictors for decision-makers. In: Suk WA, Cirillo RR, Eds: Proceedings Pacific Basin Conference on Hazardous Waste, 4–8th November 1996, Document Conf-9611157, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 14–34
Peterson PJ (1997a): Indicators of Sustainable Development in Industrializing Countries, Vol. I, Management Response Strategies. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
Peterson PJ (1997b): Indicators of Sustainable Development in Industrializing Countries, Vol. II, From Concepts to Action. LESTARI, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
Peterson PJ, Sham S, Nordin M (1999): Indicators of Sustainable Development in Industrializing Countries, Vol. III, Key Indicators for Tropical Cities. LESTARI, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
Planès F, Sanches L (1998): Programmatic approach to develop a first set of sectoral eco-efficiency indictors. Presented at ecoefficiency workshop ‘Making Sustainability Accountable’, 28–30th October 1998, European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark
Pushchak R, Rocha C (1998): Failing to site hazardous waste facilities voluntarily: implications for the production of sustainable goods. J. Environ. Planning & Manag.41, 25–43
SBC (1998): Control System for Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Other Wastes. Instruction Manual, Basel Convention Series/SBC no. 98/003, Secretariat of the Basel Convention, Geneva, Switzerland
SBC (1999): Compilation of Country Fact Sheets (CFS). Basil Convention Series/SBC no. 99/012, Secretariat of the Basel Convention, Geneva, Switzerland
Shen TT (1999): Industrial Pollution Prevention. Springer, Berlin, Germany
Stevenson R (1999): Responsible Care: 10 years on. Chemistry in Britain,35, 27–30
TSO (1998): Digest of Environmental Statistics, No. 20, 1998. The Stationary Office, London, UK
UN (1993): Agenda 21: Programme of Action for Sustainable Development. United Nations, New York, USA
UN (1994): Manual for Hazardous Waste Management. Vol. 1 Reference Text. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific, Report ST/ESCAP/1419. United Nations, New York, USA
UN (1997a): The Basel Convention: A Global Solution for Controlling Hazardous Wastes. United Nations, New York, USA
UN (1997b): Indicators of Sustainable Development, Framework and Methodologies. United Nations, New York, USA
UN (1997c): Towards Indicators of Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific. United Nations, New York, USA
UN (1998): Measuring Changes in Consumption and Production Patterns: a Set of Indicators. Report ST/ESA/264. United Nations, New York, USA
UNEP (1989): Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, Final Act, March 1989, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
UNEP (1991): Hazardous Waste Policies and Strategies: a Training Manual. Technical Report Series no. 10. United Nations Environment Programme’s Industry and Environment Office, Paris, France
UNEP (1994): Government Strategies and Policies for Cleaner Production. United Nations Environment Programme’s Industry and Environment Office, Paris, France
UNEP (1996): Cleaner Production: a Training Resource Package. 1st Edition, March 1996. United Nations Environment Programme’s Industry and Environment Office, Paris, France
UNEP (1998): Cleaner Production: a Guide to Sources of Information. United Nations Environment Programme’s Industry and Environment Office, Paris, France
UNEP (1999): Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal, Fifth Meeting Basel, 6–10 December 1999, Decision 5/14 of UNEP/CHW.5/29, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
WBCSD (1993): Getting Eco-efficient. Report of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. First Antwerp Ecoefficiency Workshop, November 1993,. World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Geneva, Switzerland
Weizsäcker E von, Lovins AB, Lovins LH (1997): Factor Four — Doubling Wealth — Halving Resource Use. Earthscan, London, UK
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Peterson, P.J., Granados, Å. Towards sets of hazardous waste indicators. Environ Sci & Potlut Res 9, 204–214 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02987490
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02987490