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Country Project Papua New Guinea

ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTE (ASBESTOS, E-WASTE, AND HEALTHCARE WASTE)

The Papua New Guinea project seeks to provide a holistic approach to hazardous waste management through the development of national strategies and regulations, and build capacity and community awareness, to help PNG achieve environmental, economic, social, and health benefits.

Project Description

Current Situation

Hazardous waste management remains a challenge in Papua New Guinea where exposure to toxic substances and chemicals have adverse impacts on public health and the environment. Increased exposure to hazardous waste is known to cause disease and create serious health problems. For many communities in PNG water resources can be contaminated by pollutants through poorly managed waste handling and disposal. Post-World War II consumer habits have also greatly increased the amount of waste generated in many Pacific countries including PNG.

What is the PNG Project About?

Hazardous waste management is a challenge in Papua New Guinea where exposure to toxic substances and chemicals have adverse impacts on public health and the environment. This project shall provide a holistic approach to hazardous waste management through the development of national strategies and regulations, and build capacity and community awareness, to help PNG achieve environmental, economic, social, and health benefits.

Future Situation

Improved long-term management of three waste streams in Papua New Guinea – asbestos, E-waste, and healthcare waste. Land, water, and air pollution caused by inappropriate management of hazardous wastes and materials is reduced as residents and businesses appropriately store and manage waste in accordance with the newly crafted regulations, policies, and procedures. Reduction of hazardous waste related illness by the creation, revision and execution of various hazardous waste management strategies and capacity building efforts. Reduce exposure to ACM and potential health complications by the creation and adoption of a ban on the import of ACM.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Adopt appropriate regulations, policies, and procedures to eliminate importation of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in PNG.
  • Enhance the capacity of government and private industry to better handle, manage and dispose of hazardous waste [e-waste, healthcare waste, asbestos-containing materials].
  • Create a plan of action to achieve appropriate and sustainable management of hazardous wastes [e-waste, healthcare waste, asbestos-containing materials], thereby improving the health and welfare of the community.
  • Exposure to hazardous waste can have direct health impacts on the community and adversely affect the environment.  This project will reduce those impacts both in terms of human health and the environment.
  • Create a plan of action to achieve appropriate and sustainable management of hazardous wastes [e-waste, healthcare waste, asbestos-containing materials], thereby improving the health and welfare of the community.
  • Enhance the capacity of government and private industry to better handle, manage and dispose of hazardous waste [e-waste, healthcare waste, asbestos-containing materials].
  • Adopt appropriate regulations, policies, and procedures to eliminate importation of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in PNG.

Provision of a holistic approach to hazardous waste management through national strategies and regulations, capacity building, and community awareness. These activities will be implemented nationally to help PNG achieve environmental, economic, social, and health benefits.