Hazardous Waste – Resource recovery: existing practices

This document describes how hazardous wastes are recovered and reprocessed by informal small-scale enterprises. It is intended primarily for non-governmental organizations that support small entrepreneurs in the improvement of economic, environmental and occupational health aspects of their businesses.

This publication differs from Urban Waste Series Books 1-3 in that it does not aim to increase the number of enterprises active in this field. Nevertheless, since information about small enterprises recycling household batteries, photographic materials and used motor oil is relatively scarce, it was considered important to document the experiences as presented in six local research reports from Accra, Bamako, Cairo, Calcutta, Manila and Nairobi.

Hazardous Waste, – Resource recovery: existing practices focuses upon existing practices in small-scale hazardous waste recycling. Occupational health and environmental conditions of hazardous waste recycling are identified as one of the main factors impeding the expansion of this recycling sector. Working in this vulnerable environment, an important question is whether small enterprises are able and willing to improve working conditions and diminish environmental pollution. A (theoretical) approach is given on how existing conditions could be improved.