Vanuatu Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) : project country plan

Abstract

Vanuatu was a participant in Phase I of this work. A comprehensive report of this Phase I work was prepared and circulated, and significant quantities of hazardous wastes were identified in the countries visited, including estimated figures of 130 tonnes of PCB liquids and 60 tonnes of pesticides (although only about 3 tonnes of POPs pesticides). Many other hazardous wastes were also identified as well. In addition, quite a large number of contaminated sites were discovered, including six locations of buried pesticides. On the basis of this report, it was decided to proceed to the Phase II of the project, which involved the preparation of a more detailed inventory, and then collecting, transporting and disposing of the wastes, to a suitable Australian facility.