Basel Convention

SAINT LUCIA

Status of Ratification/Accession/Acceptance/Approval:	09.12.1993 (a)
Ratification of the Amendment to the Basel Convention:	22.01.2002

Competent Authority	Focal Point
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Physical Development, Environment and Housing P.O. Box 709, Government Buildings, Castries tel: [phone] fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail] General Manager St. Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority P.O. Box 709, Government Buildings, Castries tel: [phone] fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]	Permanent Secretary Ministry of Physical Development, Environment and Housing P.O. Box 709, Government Buildings, Castries tel: [phone] fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]

National Definition

Saint Lucia has prepared national definitions for hazardous waste to be used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste based on the Basel Convention definition. Solid Waste is garbage, refuse, organic waste, scrap metal, silt, back-filling material, construction and demolition material and other solid materials discarded from – (a) residential, industrial, commercial or government establishments or operations; and (b) public or community activities but does not include solid or dissolved material in domestic sewage, or other substances in water sources, dissolved or suspended solids in industrial wastewater effluents, dissolved materials in irrigation return flows or other common water pollutants. There are no wastes defined as, or considered to be hazardous wastes by national legislation in accordance with Art. 1, para 1(b) of the Basel Convention. In Saint Lucia there are no wastes other than those pursuant to Art. 1 (1)a and/or Art. 1 (1)b of the Basel Convention that require special consideration when subjected to transboundary movement.

Data* on the Generation and Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes** and Other Wastes***

		Quantities (in metric tonnes)
Generation	Total amount of hazardous wastesgenerated	340 ^1) & 2)
	Total amount of other wastesgenerated	75 952
Transboundary Movement	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesexported	5 ^3)
	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesimported	No import ^2)

* Figures are rounded to the nearest integer.

** Covers wastes under Art. 1 (1)a (Annex I: Y1-Y45) and Art. 1 (1)b.

*** Covers wastes under (Annex II: Y46-Y47).

1) Includes biomedical and clinical wastes and used lead-acid batteries. In addition, 410m3 of hazardous wastes were generated.

2) In addition, 410 m³ of hazardous waste were generated. An additional 1000m³ of used oil are received from ships annually under the MARPOL 73/78 Convention for use as a supplementary fuel by private companies.

3) Figure refers to the amount of used lead-acid batteries exported.

Restrictions on Transboundary Movement	Amendment to the Basel Convention Saint Lucia has ratified Ban amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1).
	Restrictions on export for final disposal and for recovery Saint Lucia restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery. Export is allowed only when no suitable facilities are available for handling the wastes at the national level, assurance is received that the wastes will be handled in an environmentally friendly manner in the country of import, and that the export is in accordance with the provisions of the Basel Convention.
	Restrictions on import for final disposal and for recovery The importation of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery is banned under draft Marine Pollution Legislation.
	Restrictions on transit Saint Lucia restricts the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes. The relevant legislation is the draft Marine Pollution Legislation. Prior approval from national authorities is required.

Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation	National strategies/policies Continued collaboration with private sector on measures to reduce quantity and toxicity of hazardous waste generated; Pilot Project on used lead acid batteries completed. Results of this project to inform future policies and strategies; Training and capacity building in the areas of hazardous waste management completed for PCBs, asbestos, biomedical and clinical wastes, used pesticides, used oil and used lead-acid batteries; Training received in the conducting of Hazardous Waste Inventories and reporting of information to SBC; National Used Oil Strategy prepared with guidance from OECS Regional Used Oil Strategy; National Biomedical and Clinical Wastes Policy developed and draft Strategy being reviewed; Recommendations from consultant study on agrochemical wastes under discussion to guide development of national strategy; and Ongoing efforts to identify cleaner production technologies appropriate to the service and manufacturing sectors and small industrial enterprises.
	Economic instruments/ initiatives Provision of tax incentives and waivers of import duties on equipment and materials required for recycling and reuse of used oil.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators Efforts by private industry to conform to ISO, HACCP and other relevant international standards to reduce of the quantity and toxicity of hazardous waste generated.

Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures	National strategies/policies Policy to promote, where appropriate, recycling and reuse of hazardous waste products such as used oil; and Further training required for Customs officials.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines None, further development is required.
	Economic instruments/ initiatives None, further development is required.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators Local industry and private sector seeking to identify treatment and disposal options for used oil, biomedical and clinical wastes and agricultural chemicals. Further assistance is required in this area.

Disposal/ Recovery Facilities

Local companies involved in the use of used oil as a supplementary fuel. Disposal and/or Recovery facilities lacking for other hazardous wastes streams.

Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements

None.

Technical Assistance and Training Available

The available sources are: Caribbean Environmental Health Institute, P.O. Box 1111, Castries, tel. [phone], fax [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. This institution develops and executes programs to provide Technical and advisory services to CARICOM member states in Environmental management. St. Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority, P.O. Box 709, Castries, tel. [phone], fax [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. This statutory body ha the legislative responsibility for the management of hazardous waste and provides advice to the industrial and manufacturing sectors on appropriate methods of hazardous waste treatment, storage, transport and disposal. National Emergency Management Organisation. P.O. Box 1517, Castries, tel.: [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]

Basel Convention

Country Fact Sheet