Co-Ordinated Regional Action for the Reduction of Solid Waste Pollution in the Framework of the Mediterranean Action Plan

Urban solid waste can affect the pollution of the sea in a number of ways: through the release of raw waste into the sea, directly or indirectly, especially plastics, and through emissions into the atmosphere of pollutants which may be generated by the combustion of these waste products. For the reduction in pollution reaching the Mediterranean Sea, the riparian states will consider relevant targets and regional activities which include inter alia measures related to urban solid wastes. The proposed targets are: (1) by the year 2025 at the latest, to base urban solid waste management on reduction at source, separate collection, recycling, composting and environmentally sound disposal, and (2) by the year 2005 at the latest, to base urban solid waste management on reduction at source, separate collection, recycling, composting and environmentally sound disposal in all cities and urban agglomerations exceeding one hundred thousand inhabitants and areas of concern. The proposed activities at regional level are: (1) by the year 2000 to formulate and adopt guidelines for environmentally suitable and economically feasible systems of collection, including separate collection, and disposal of urban solid waste; and (2) by the year 2005, to develop programmes for the reduction and recycling of urban solid waste.