Waste management policies in The Netherlands

Waste Management & Research (1990) 8, 2 43-245

INTERNATIONAL REPORT WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICIES IN THE NETHERLANDS. By J. L. A. Jansen*, Director AST, Ministry of Vrom, P.O. Box 450, 2260, MB Leidshendam, The Netherlands The National Environment Policy Programme A recent Government document, The National Environment Policy Programme, reflects the policy on waste management adopted by the Dutch Government, based as it is on the principle of sustainable development . The document is the result of a thorough survey of the state of the environment by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and Environmental Protection . The Institute examined the state of the environment as a whole and distinguished a number of spheres, each sphere subject to specific environmental effects : • • • •

the global sphere-emissions such as CO, and CFCs ; the continental sphere-emissions such as SO 2 and NO, ; the fluvial sphere-emissions to rivers and seas ; the regional sphere-emissions of pesticides and superfluous manure and fertilizers threatening regional ecosystems and, for example, drinking water sources ; and • local sphere-local nuisance, dumps etc . Normally speaking, waste management policies should be sufficient at a regional and local level, but the risk of "leakage" during transportation, especially in international waters, demands a global approach . When the Basel Convention and the Declaration of March 22, 1989 are fully implemented, however, such transportation may become a thing of the past . Sustainable development and waste management The principle of sustainable development is based on the theory that environmental damage or the risk thereof should not limit the opportunities of freedom of future generations . To be more concise, "environmental damage of risks caused by a generation should be solved by that generation itself" . In practical terms this can only be achieved by : preventing, reusing and recycling generated waste ; and preventing the release of environmentally dangerous substances in the disposal of unavoidable wastes . Ultimately, the latter solution will lead to the enforcement of stringent measures as far as the acceptance of these waste streams are concerned : at the very least they should not be accepted unless they have been treated by either extraction or immobilization (preferably on a molecular scale) . The long-term objective is to prevent the dispersion of questionable components . If it is considered that long-term isolation from the biosphere cannot be assured and that therefore an unreasonable burden of continuous care will be _ placed on the shoulders of future generations, the source of waste will have to be eliminated . In addition, the following aspects should be considered : 0734-242X/90/030243 + 03 $03 .00/0

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• integration with other fields of environmental care and with policies relation to other emissions ; • the priorities employed in determining the order of sequence of waste streams in policy programmes; • the chain approach : in addition to the question of generated waste, the whole chain from source to final destination should be considered . The mechanisms of choice in directing waste streams should be on stage to consumption and product and process application ; • the improvement of the quality of "unavoidable" waste streams especially with respect to the long-term risks involved in disposal application ; • the professionalization of the waste disposal system and the reduction of criminal activities; • a large reduction of deposits into or onto land (e .g . landfill) ; • the management of waste problems in the country of origin of the waste unless it is rational to solve a problem mutually, together with "neighbouring states" ; and • international support and harmonization .

Policy programmes Against this background the following policy programmes are being developed : Priority waste streams : This programme aims at determining priority waste streams .

Strategic discussions will be held to examine the opportunities for avoiding waste, its reuse and recycling. Improvement of disposal systems : This programme aims at examining and improving waste disposal systems and their environmental effects from an organizational, technological and administrative point of view . The programme will also include the examination of long-term environmental risks of "final destinations" . Improvement of waste quality : This programme is closely related to that of prevention . A waste stream at the final disposal stage will have to meet certain standards of quality . These standards must also take into account long-term effects as no unreasonable forms of "eternal aftercare" must be imposed on the shoulders of future generations . It will take many years to realize this aim; much research is required . Regulations to support this policy: A programme has to be developed to deal with the application of those regulations which are to guarantee a continuous and appropriate system of disposal, both at a national and international level . Close consideration must be given to such factors as scale, professionalism, technology and methods of transport . Combined, all these factors help to prevent "leakages" in the system and reinforce environmental standards . The Dutch position, that of handling waste in the country of origin, is further strengthened by the growing tendency on an international scale to refuse one's "neighbours' garbage" . In addition other countries are taking steps to secure the continuity of their waste disposal systems (both economically and technically) . Development of organisational measures: This programme is directed at developing the most effective "mix" of administrative and management instruments in order to achieve a waste management policy complying with the required environmental standards . As waste streams are so varied, the only effective method will have to be a specific "mix" of instruments per waste stream . These instruments would include financial incentives, regulations, education, control, product labelling and public-private partnership . International activities : A programme of international activities to prevent, co-ordinate



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and control the trans-boundary movement of wastes . The programme would intensify international co-operation and harmonization at different levels (e .g . EC, EEC, OECD, UNEP) in an effort to meet the requirements of a sustainable development. Moreover in certain situations, a rational consideration of the benefits to the environment, and the scale of the operation should make it feasible to set up a joint operation with a neighbouring country for the treatment of certain waste streams . Shared responsibility "Shared responsibility" in the development and in the execution of the policy programme is an essential key . It reflects the view that the proper management of waste is primarily a responsibility for the originators and their administration counterparts . The national administration participates in this responsibility by co-ordination, facilitating change and guidance . Various parties are involved in the management of the environment, for example, industry, consumers, local authorities, environmental organizations, labour-unions and the central government . All of them have different and often conflicting interests-at least in the short term . Interaction therefore becomes a very complex exercise . However the state of the environment demands that severe measures be taken . The latter can only be realized if sufficient support is forthcoming from all the parties involved . In addition the creative powers of each of the parties are badly needed if environmental problems are to be solved . The Dutch Government is of the firm conviction that the atmosphere of confrontation which has dominated too often in recent years must be exchanged for one of interaction and common responsibility . Fortunately experience has proved it is possible to carry out programmes of waste management in an atmosphere of shared responsibility . Of course the differences and conflicts of interests between the parties should not be ignored but ways found to accommodate them . Our Ministry accepts the challenge to explore this style of policy-making more extensively .