Europe Statement:
Declaration
of non-governmental organizations which have participated in
the international conference Waste and Europefrom the Public
Point of View
April 13-16, Zahradky u Ceske L'py, Czech Republic
Organizations
participating in the seminar consider the release into the
environment of persistent organic pollutants as one of the
greatest problems we face today.
We
believe that the current methods of waste management, i.e.
landfilling and incineration, are leaving a legacy of persistent
toxic pollutants that threaten the health and well-being of
future generations. These chemicals and unwanted by-products
are emitted by incinerators to the environment either through
air emissions, ash and waste water. These have become global
threats for many living species, even those in the remotest
areas of our planet. Dioxins, furans, PCBs, DDT, hexachlorobenzene
and other chlorinated compounds are some of the most dangerous
chemicals ever created by humans. Therefore, we consider it
absolutely essential to include in the prepared international
treaty on persistent organic pollutants a definite committment
to the elimination of these chemicals and by-products and
the banning of incineration.
The
NGOs present are calling for the implementation of clean production
technologies and waste minimization, reuse, recycling, anaerobic
digestion and composting. To this end, we support internationally
recognized principles such as polluter pays, the precautionary
principle, proximity, prior informed consent, etc.
One
of the most problematic materials both in its production and
disposal is PVC. We therefore call for political decisions
to phase out this material. We also propose that PVC waste
be re-classified as hazardous waste according to the Basel
Convention.
We
demand the right to public access to information. Moreover,
we ask those countries which have not yet signed or ratified
the Aarhus convention to do so. In particular, we support
the establishment of pollutant release and transfer registers
(PRTR) and free public access to information which PRTRs contain.
We,
the People of Europe, are fully aware that the means to implement
more sustainable methods of production and waste management
exist. We consider this an opportunity for political leaders
to take forward our proposal and demonstrate their committment
to well-being of future generations.
Inessa Shumilo EcoPravo-Kharkiv Ukraine
Tatiana Blagoveschenskaya Ecology Dept.
"Belarussian Association of Environmental Management" Belarus
Boryana Hrissimova Time Foundation Bulgaria
JindÞich Petrl’k, Milan Havel, Premysl M‡cha Džti Zemž /Children
of the Earth Czech Republic
Eugeniy Lobanov Methane Hunters Belarus
Ivo Krop‡‹ek, Jirina Koukolova Hnut’ Duha Brno/Friends of
the Earth - Czech Republic Czech Republic
Piotr Rymarowicz, Towarzystwo na Rzecz Ziemi Poland
Elita Kalnina, Girts Strazdins Environmental Protection Club
of Latvia /FOE Latvia Latvia Wendy Hamilton, Meredyth Bowler
Ailloud Rongead France Miroslavuta Greenpeace Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Magda Zowsik, Krzysztof Rytel Green Federation Poland
Maja Bavdaz Solce Slovenia
Vladimyr Pesliak WETI Ukraine
Monica Koszta Life Romania Ralph Ryder Communities Against
Toxics
United Kingdom
Pawel Gluszynski Waste Prevention Association Poland
Pierre-Emanuel Neuhror CNIID France
Laco Hegyi Spolo‹nosé priateŸov Zeme /Earth Friends Society
Slovakia
Olga Speranskaya Eco-Accord Russia
Elina Vasilyeva Regional NGO Informational Centre "Volgograd-Ecopress"
Russia
Girts Strazdins, Elita Kalnina VAK-FOE Latvia Latvia Arne
Shoevers Waste and Environment Netherlands
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