Latin American Supplement -- Recycling Hits Latin American Agenda

Targets

It is difficult to make sweeping generalizations about which products and sectors are targeted by Latin American nations, as their concerns vary. A more useful approach is to consider two different sets of targets: a “first tier,” composed of seven items, where action is well underway in several key nations and likely will be in others in the near future: and a “second tier” of targets where concern is percolating in many nations and trial balloons are released, but they have not yet reached critical mass.

“First Tier.” The top sectors currently already under fire are batteries, tires, plastics, packaging in general, fluorescent lamps, used oil and pesticide packaging.

•Batteries. Brazil has adopted a national take-back regulation, Argentina is pondering take-back schemes, Mexico has pledged to ban mercury in batteries, El Salvador is interested in a deposit/return system, PAHO’s Latin American Network for the Environmental Management of Wastes (REPAMAR) is working on a unified approach among eight nations.

•Tires. Brazil has adopted a national take-back regulation, Mexico has pondered a deposit/return system, while many nations examine whether to direct scrap tires to be used in energy recovery.

•Plastics. Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state has adopted a plastic packaging take-back law, and national authorities are debating a similar measure. Jamaica plans a national policy on plastic packaging material (PPM). Uruguay has a plastic packaging-recycling covenant. Anti-plastic packaging legislation is cropping up in Argentina and Costa Rica.

•Packaging in general. Peru has imposed take-back on packaging in its new Solid Waste Law. Brazil’s National Environment Council (CONAMA) is currently drafting a national take-back regulation, while Congress contemplates its own measures. A Euro-style packaging waste bill has been proposed in Mexico and similar bills are expected soon in Argentina and Chile.

•Fluorescent lamps. Brazil is preparing a national take-back regulation. Mexico has pledged an initiative on lamps; legislation has been introduced in Argentina. Colombia and Chile have contemplated regulatory measures.

•Used oil. REPAMAR has launched a regional project on the subject. Several Brazilian states are contemplating recycling legislation.

•Pesticide packaging. Brazil and Peru have new legislation imposing take-back of pesticide packaging, while Colombia and Mexico have concluded covenants with industry on the subject. REPAMAR has launched a regional project on the subject. Many Latin American nations view this as a significant problem.

“Second Tier.” There is rising interest among Latin American nations in tackling construction/demolition wastes and household toxics. Some countries are also becoming interested in action on expired medicines and their packaging. Two areas where Brazil is prepared to act but does not yet appear to be on others’ agendas are WEEE and end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).

•Construction/demolition wastes. Most South and Central American nations are interested in this issue because it is a widespread problem. However, so far only Colombia has adopted a regulation on the topic, although Brazil appears poised to do so.

•WEEE. Brazil plans a national take-back regulation on this topic, while bills tackling it have been introduced in federal and state legislatures.

•ELVs. There is general agreement in Brazil on the desirability of ELV recycling, but disagreement on the details for doing it. Bills are pending at the federal and state levels.

This is the introduction to Keith Ripley’s report Recycling & Solid Waste in Latin America: Trends and Policy, available from Raymond Communications Inc., College Park, Md., www.raymond.com .