Basel Convention

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Status of Ratification/Accession/Acceptance/Approval:	01.09.1995 (a)
Ratification/Acceptance of the Amendment to the Basel Convention:	Not yet as of 20.11.2002

Competent Authority	Focal Point
Director Office of Environment and Conservation P.O. Box 6601, Boroko, NCD tel: [phone] fax: [phone]	Same as the Competent Authority

National Definition

Papua New Guinea is preparing a national definition of waste and hazardous waste to be used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste. The Environmental Contaminants Act (1978) does not define waste or hazardous waste, however it defines “hazardous environmental contaminant” as a substance registered under section 32 (2) as a hazardous environmental substance. Section 32 (2) states … The Minister may, by notice publish in the National Gazette, declare a substance to be hazardous environmental contaminant, and register it in Part I of the Register as a hazardous environmental contaminant. The hazardous environmental contaminants Register basically deals with pesticides. The Environment Act 2000 (EA) defines hazardous contaminants as a substance prescribed by regulation as a hazardous environmental contaminant under Section133(2). Papua New Guinea regulates/controls additional wastes defined as, or considered to be hazardous wastes by national legislation in accordance with Art. 1, para 1(b) of the Basel Convention. These wastes are: materials containing radionuclides; obsolete chemicals, such as chlorine gas in cylinders for recovery. In Papua New Guinea 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*** in 2000 (as reported)

		Quantities (in metric tonnes)
Generation	Total amount of hazardous wastesgenerated	No data
	Total amount of other wastesgenerated	No data
Transboundary Movement	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesexported	3
	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesimported	No import

* 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).

Restrictions on Transboundary Movement	Amendment to the Basel Convention Papua New Guinea is in a preparatory process of implementing the amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1).
	Restrictions on export for final disposal and for recovery Papua New Guinea has no restrictions on the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery.
	Restrictions on import for final disposal and for recovery Papua New Guinea is in a preparatory process to restrict import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery. Necessary policies are under preparation.
	Restrictions on transit Papua New Guinea has no restrictions on the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes. However, review of Environment Legislation will include this matter.

Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation	National strategies/policies In preparation.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines Industry specific environmental codes of practice.
	Economic instruments/initiatives Not in place.

Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures	National strategies/policies The National Waste Strategy is being developed.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines Draft Hazardous Substance Regulation to be reviewed and updated.
	Economic instruments/initiatives Not in place.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators Information is not available.

Disposal/ Recovery Facilities

Disposal facilities None. Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities Lae Battery Services, Josey St., Lae, Morobe Province, collection, packaging and export of drained lead acid batteries (R4); PNG Recycling, P.O. Box 3647, Boroko, NCD, collection, packaging and export of drained lead acid batteries (R4); and Pondrilei Recycling PTY Ltd., P.O. Box 647, Lae, Morobe Province, collection, packaging and export of paper, cardboard and PET plastic.

Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements

The Waigani Convention (1992), concerning the movement and trade of hazardous wastes within the Pacific Region.

Technical Assistance and Training Available

Some of the available source are: Office of Environment and Conservation, P.O. Box 6601, Boroko, NCD; University of Papua New Guinea, P.O.Box 320, University P.O., NCD; PNG University of Technology, PMB, Lae, Morobe Province; International Revenue Commission – Customs, P.O. Box 777, Pt Moresby, NCD; and Maritime Division, Department of Transport, P.O. Box 1489, Pt Moresby, NCD. A complete list could be obtained from the Focal Point.

Basel Convention

Country Fact Sheet