The Evolution Of Hazardous Waste Programs

In most countries, the development of environmental programs follows a similar pattern. Early efforts concentrate on direct threats to public health, such as contaminated drinking water and air pollution. Only after these problems are addressed does the need to improve day-to-day management of hazardous wastes reach the top of the environmental agenda. In this new report, RFF‘s Katherine Probst and Thomas Beierle compare the development of hazardous waste management programs in eight countries---the United States, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand---and discuss steps taken to foster proper hazardous waste management. The authors focus on two questions: What were the major steps in the evolution of a successful hazardous waste program? What role, if any, did the public sector play in financing modern treatment and disposal facilities? Based on interviews and secondary sources, this report includes country-specific profiles that detail the steps in the evolution of each country‘s hazardous waste management program and describe the role of the public sector in facility financing.

This is the first thorough exploration of how industry, government, and the public can use available nontechnical means to reduce significantly the amount of hazardous waste entering the environment. Among the approaches considered are modifications to avoid contaminating normal wastewater with hazardous by-products, education of management and engineering personnel about reuse and recycling, reform of regulations and enforcement procedures, and incentives for improvement in waste practices. A free digest of this volume accompanies each copy.

This new book describes the management of hazardous waste programs in the private and public sectors from the planning perspective. Hazardous Waste Planning covers a wide variety of planning components as well as the types of hazardous waste planning. It systematically compiles various sources of documentation in the field of hazardous waste management and planning and blends them into an integrated planning text. The twelve chapters in the book are divided into five main topical sections. The introduction presents problems and issues confronting individuals in the hazardous waste management and planning profession. Most importantly, it provides approaches to address these problems. The fundamental of hazardous waste planning are reviewed along with the scope of hazardous waste planning. Legal aspects are presented, such as statutory and regulatory frameworks, rule development, and state authorization. Data requirements and management are detailed, and a system approach to data analysis is offered. The book provides numerous types of hazardous waste planning methods and programs, allowing readers to choose the one that best suits their objectives. A comprehensive discussion is included regarding site correction and remediation planning. The book details important response procedures for on-site and community emergencies. The book addresses citizen participation planning, offering details for strategizing community relations and developing a public participation plan. The text concludes with a look at hazardous waste planning trends and aspects of local government management of hazardous waste.