There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste in Uruguay.
Act No. 17.220, 30/10/99. Art.3 states that "Hazardous wastes means those wastes of any origin whatsoever that, because of their physical, chemical, biological or radioactive characteristics, pose a risk to human, animal or plant health or to the environment. ”
"Without prejudice to other categories that may be envisaged in national legislation, the wastes listed in the foregoing paragraph shall include, besides radioactive wastes, those included in the categories enumerated in annex I to the Basel Convention.
The categories of wastes covered in annex II to the Basel Convention are also included as hazardous wastes."
Uruguay regulates/controls additional wastes as hazardous that are not included in Art. 1 (1)a of the Basel Convention and would be controlled for the purpose of transboundary movements pursuant to Art. 1 (1)b. These wastes are: radioactive wastes.
Act No. 17.220, 30/10/99. Art.4 states that "The Executive, mindful of the need to protect the environment and human, animal or plant health, may, by means of an authoritative resolution prevent the introduction into the country of wastes that although not characterized as hazardous because of their quantity, volume or composition, could pose a threat to the condition of the quality of life in the country."
Data* on the Generation and Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes** and Other Wastes*** in 2000 (as reported)
Uruguay has no restrictions on the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery. The procedures laid down in the Basel Convention are followed.
Restrictions on import for final disposal and for recovery
Uruguay restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery. The relevant legislation is the Act No. 17.220, 30/10/99. Art.1 which states that "The import of all kinds of hazardous wastes in any form or under any conditions into the areas under national jurisdiction is prohibited." The restriction covers all countries/regions and all wastes.
Restrictions on transit
Uruguay has no restrictions on the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes. The procedures laid down in the Basel Convention are followed.
Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation
National strategies/policies
The Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and Environment has implemented the following programmes as part of its policies:
National monitoring of emissions;
Management of hospital wastes;
Completed National Inventory of the Generation and Management of Industrial Wastes; and
A National Inventory of Dioxins and Furans is being prepared.
Decree 135/99, 18/5/99, Regulations concerning solid hospital wastes; and
Act No. 17283, 28/88/00, General Environmental Protection Act.
Economic instruments/ initiatives
Imposition of fines for failure to comply.
Measures taken by industries/waste generators
8 enterprises have obtained ISO 14000 certification;
7 enterprises form part of CEMPRE - Uruguay, an active business association whose aim is to promote recycling;
25 chemical industries belong to the Responsable [sic] Care programme;
Voluntary agreement among bottling enterprises for the collection and recycling of PET containers;
Voluntary collection of waste oil by the Shell company; and
Various private initiatives involving the introduction of clean technologies.
Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures
National strategies/policies
Monitoring of the introduction into the country of wastes originating from free trade zones, in order to deter the arrival of wastes from that source.
Legislation, regulations and guidelines
Act No. 17.220, 30/10/99. Art.1 states that "The import of all kinds of hazardous wastes in any form or under any conditions into the areas under national jurisdiction is prohibited." Procedure for the entry of wastes originating from free trade zones.
There are dumps for urban solid wastes where industrial wastes are also discharged. Recently two plants for hospital wastes entered into operation, one with an incineration unit and the other with an autoclave.
Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities
Waste lubricating oils and some rice hulls are incinerated in cement kilns.
Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements
None.
Technical Assistance and Training Available
The available sources are:
Centro Coordinador del Convenio de Basilea de Capacitación y Transferencia de Tecnología, Montevideo 11000, Uruguay, Tel.: + 598 2 916 8287/916 9127; Fax: + 598 2 916 82 88; and Dinama; Latu; Faculty of Engineering; and National Fire Brigade Directorate.
