'Have black list of coastal pollutants'
It's one of 10 points at Asean meeting on waste management
CREATING a "black list" of common pollutants in the coastal areas of Asean countries and adopting measures to eliminate them was one of 10 recommendations to protect the coastal environment of the region.
The recommendations were part of the Singapore Resolution to Protect Asean Coastal Environment, drawn up at a recent conference here where waste management issues were discussed.
The three-day conference held late last month also considered appropriate waste management options, their economic implications, and the roles of political leadership, multilateral financial institutions, the private sector, the community and other bodies.
The conference was attended by ministers of the environment from the six Asean countries, senior government officials and representatives from the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The conference was organized by the Philippine-based International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management and the Environment Ministry.
A joint statement from the two organizations released over the weekend listed the 10 recommendations which were adopted by the conference participants. They include:
• SHARE strategies and technologies on coastal waste disposal, including manpower and information exchange.
• DEVELOP a "Black List" and a "Grey List" of polluting substances based on their toxic properties. Measures should also be taken to eliminate the Black List substances and reduce discharge of the Grey List ones.
• CREATE means of prompt and adequate compensation of relief and rehabilitation for damage caused by pollution of coastal areas.
• INTRODUCE effective programmes to recycle and reuse waste.
• EDUCATE the public, policy-makers and producers of waste of the benefits of effective waste management strategies and the dangers of inadequate or inappropriate management.
• ADOPT programmes that require polluters to bear costs of pollution prevention, abatement and compensation.
• ENCOURAGE participation of NGOs and community organizations in the development and implementation of waste management strategies to promote wider public participation, especially of women and children.
Source : The Straits Times, July 8 1991
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