April 2001
Report summary
The Hazardous Waste Management Programme has not achieved what it set out to do in 1997. Over 3 years after the programme was first announced, there is still no evidence of improved systems or outcomes.
Executive summary
This report follows the PCE's 1998 report on Hazardous Waste Management that drew attention to the previous Government's 3-year Hazardous Waste Management Programme, which commenced in late 1997.
The first assessment of the programme's progress was completed by the PCE in November 1999. It found that delays had occurred and outcomes were not achieved within the expected 3-year timeframe. The programme was extended to 2005, its scope broadened, and additional funding allocated.
The PCE's second progress report, covering the period December 1999 to April 2001, shows that reasonable progress has been made, even though the programme was set back by significant turnover of staff within the MfE. Aspects of the programme that have progressed include the development of a definition of 'hazardous waste' and associated database, and linking the programme with other initiatives (such as waste acceptance criteria for landfills and a proposed waste minimisation strategy).
The Hazardous Waste Management Programme has not achieved what it set out to do in 1997. Over 3 years after the programme was first announced, there is still no evidence of improved systems or outcomes. And we are unlikely to see any such evidence until 2005 or beyond. The extended programme includes further consultation and trials of proposed management systems. While these stages are important to ensure that systems are effective and workable it is disappointing that there is still no evidence of improvements having been made to the management of hazardous wastes in New Zealand.
The PCE intends to continue reviewing developments in the Hazardous Waste Management Programme by assessing it against the PCE's effectiveness criteria and against the programme's own objective and milestones.
