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| The
conference on Environment and Development of 1992 in Rio de
Janeiro was a turning point in the history of mankind because
the global action plan "Agenda 21" was elaborated with a goal
to preserve the Earth, its resources for the generations to
come. In this document there is also recorded impact of hazardous
waste upon the environment and human health, as well as necessity
to control the production, storage, treatment, recycling and
re-use, transportation, recovery and disposal of hazardous waste
in order to reduce this impact. |
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| The
hazardous waste issue is neither left unattended in the legal
documents elaborated by the state administration authorities
in the Republic of Latvia. The issues on hazardous waste and
industrial waste are especially highlighted in the National
Environmental Protection Policy Plan for Latvia (1995), adopted
by the Cabinet of Ministers. Several proposals are successfully
implemented, others are waiting for their turn. Introduction
of new, cleaner technologies has started in Latvia thus saving
natural resources and producing less industrial and hazardous
waste; there is a system of subsidies for the companies, which
collect and recycle waste; there are available financial resources
for the improvement of manufacturing and environment; National
Hazardous Waste Management Strategy, 1999- 2004 is elaborated;
the pre-research of the necessary infrastructure has started.
The management of hazardous waste will be one of the priorities
in Latvia as long as there are companies and institutions that
generate waste. |
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| In order to ensure the functioning of the
hazardous waste management system, it is essential to inform
the society in order to establish an adequate behaviour pattern
concerning hazardous waste. Unfortunately, the national public
survey carried out in 1998 show that only 11.8% of all respondents
consider that information about the environmental issues is
sufficient. Also the seminars on the management of hazardous
waste in Latvia organised by the Ministry of Environmental Protection
and Regional Development in Livani, Skrunda, Dobele in the winter
of 1999 have proved that the society has no general information
about specific issues. This booklet on the management of hazardous
waste is prepared in order to fill the information gap. It is
focused on providing information to educate municipalities,
teachers, and representatives from non-governmental organisations,
who in their turn could inform other interested persons. |
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