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Waste
It is estimated that in 2004, the total amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated globally reached 1.84 billion tones, 7% increase over 2003 (Global Waste Management Market Report 2004). It is further estimated that between 2004 and 2008, global generation of municipal waste will rise by 31.1%, roughly 7% increase annually. The Basel Convention estimated that between 2000 and 2001 hazardous waste production rose from 318 to 338 million tons. Various diseases including cancers result from exposure to hazardous emissions mainly from open burning and substandard incineration of wastes. Communities living near dumps are suffering from littering, odour, insects and rats. Scavengers are at even greater health risks. The World Bank estimates that in developing countries, it is common for municipalities to spend 20-50 percent of their available budget on solid waste management. In low-income countries, collection alone drains up 80-90 percent of municipal solid waste management budget. The United Nations Environmental Programme's approach to waste is inspired by the 3R approach (reduce, reuse recycle) and includes programs based on integrated waste management led by the International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) and waste minimization directed by the SCP Branch. Special challenges of waste management include Hazardous Waste Management and E-waste. The waste management and waste minimization actions are structured around the themes of waste prevention, and improving waste collection, disposal and recycling. Decoupling, the idea of breaking the link between economic growth and waste production, also plays a central role in UNEP's waste strategy and is addressed by the International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management. |
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Rapid
increase in volume and types of solid waste and hazardous waste
generation mainly due to economic growth, urbanization and industrialization
has severe impacts on global and local environment, natural resources,
public health, local economy and living conditions, and threatens
the attainment of the