Hazardous waste management in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The country is currently looking towards development through industrialization. The industries will inevitably generate hazardous wastes which will need special handling and disposal methods. This important aspect has not received due attention of the policy planners. However, with Sri Lanka signing the BASEL convention attention has been focused on the movement of hazardous waste from outside sources to Sri Lanka. A recent study initiated by the Ministry of Policy Planning and Implementation indicated that generation of hazardous waste in Sri Lanka to be about 40,000 MT per annum. As there is neither a proper disposal facility in Sri Lanka nor sound disposal practices by the generators themselves, the potential difficulties that may have to be face in future can be enormous. It is important to realise the potential difficulties, the decisions that need to be taken now and the Responsible Care attitudes required of the generators. The paper discusses the present position of hazardous waste generation in Sri Lanka, disposal practices and their limitations and the steps needed to ensure clean industrialisation.