There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste in Mauritius.
National definition of hazardous waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste exists in Mauritius.
According to the Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous Wastes) Regulations 2001, which came into force on 1 April 2002, “hazardous waste” means any waste specified in the third column of the First Schedule in respect of the corresponding waste stream specified in the second column of that Schedule; or having as constituents one of the substances specified in the Second Schedule, and displaying any of the hazardous properties specified in the Third Schedule.
Mauritius 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:
Radioactive materials.
In Mauritius 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.
Restrictions on Transboundary Movement
Amendment to the Basel Convention
The amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) has not been implemented in Mauritius.
Restrictions on export for final disposal and for recovery
Mauritius restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery.
The Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous Wastes) Regulations 2001, which came into force on 1 April 2002.
No person shall export hazardous waste without the approval in writing of the enforcing agency, which according to the Environment Protection Act 2002 is the Ministry responsible for the subject of Local Government.
Restrictions on import for final disposal and for recovery
Mauritius restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery.
The Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous Wastes) Regulations 2001, which came into force on 1 April 2002.
The restriction covers all countries/region and all wastes.
The import of hazardous wastes is prohibited.
Restrictions on transit
Mauritius restricts the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
The restriction covers all countries/region and all wastes.
Transit may be allowed subject to prior notification.
Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation
National strategies/policies
According to the Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous wastes) Regulations 2001, which came into force on 1 April 2002, a hazardous waste generator shall minimize the generation of a hazardous waste by using the best practicable means; the law requires new undertakings with significant environmental impacts to go through the EIA process; introduction of sulphur-reduced diesel since 2001 and unleaded petrol as from September 2002; the revised solid waste management strategy plan adopted in 2002 places topmost priority to waste minimisation; sensitising campaigns; and duty remission and soft loans on pollution abatement equipment.
Legislation, regulations and guidelines
Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous wastes) Regulations 2001; standards for air (ambient air quality and emissions); and
guidance notes for the implementation of Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous Wastes) Regulations 2001.
Mare Chicose landfill; Sanitary landfill for municipal solid wastes, special cell for solid hazardous waste, in discreet quantities; D5
Hospitals and clinics; Incineration on land for medical waste; D10
No treatment and disposal facility is yet in place locally for liquid hazardous wastes. Generators of such wastes are requested to safely store their liquid hazardous wastes pending a safe disposal facility is in operation. The construction of an interim storage facility for hazardous wastes for five years is expected for the near future and a hazardous waste complex comprising of pre-treatment and disposal facility is expected to be operational by 2010.
Regional agreement; Bamako Convention on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa; 1992 -
