Prevention of pollution of the sea by transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposals : a Maltese/Mediterranean perspective

Abstract

Chapter one of the Thesis is an introduction to environmental awareness, including the EEC contribution and the necessity of a global approach to curb and control pollutants and pollution of the environment. The various problems associated with pollution, the use and misuse of chemicals, the importance of correct disposal of hazardous wastes, a Mediterranean perspective, and various instances of measures taken by particular States to control the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes are referred to in chapter two In Chapter three, various cases of illegal dumping are referred to in order to clarify the extent of the problem of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes. The cases referred to clearly indicate the rogue companies and States involved in illegal transboundary movements and dumping of hazardous wastes and contaminated materials and the problems associated with the safe disposal and return of hazardous and other wastes to the exporting or generator State or States. The Basel Convention is examined in detail in chapter four, where some of the developments leading to its adoption are also referred to in order to better understand the urgency and the requirements that were for a convention to deal with the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes. An analysis of the Basel Convention is carried out in chapter five in order to examine its deficiencies. Furthermore, reference is made to other relevant conventions dealing with or related to the subject of the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes on a comparative analysis and the situation in Malta as regards the treatment ofhazardo,.us wastes and other wastes. It is concluded that although the Basel Convention has many deficiencies, it was the first international convention to deal specifically with the subject of the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes and, as such, deficiencies in its provisions could not be avoided. However, it has to be appreciated that enormous difficulties were encountered during negotiations since there were conflicting interests between diametrically opposed negotiators, but it can be considered as a first step that led to the appreciation of the dangers involved in the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes and left the option for the development of amendments and/or further instruments to be adopted.