Chapter VII WASTE DISPOSAL AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

The waste disposal sites on land and abandoned worksites shall be cleaned up by the generators of such waste and the users of such sites:

Provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply if the removal of any structure or waste material may result in any adverse environmental impact referred to in sub-section (5) of section 27 than leaving the structure or waste material in its existing location.

1. (1) The Committee shall establish a waste classification system—
   • (a) for recording waste in Antarctica from activities by the persons authorised under this Act; and
   • (b) to facilitate studies on the environmental impacts of scientific activities and associated activities.
2. (2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the waste shall be segregated into the following categories, namely:—
   • (a) sewage and domestic liquid waste;
   • (b) other liquid waste such as medical and chemical waste including fuels and lubricants;
   • (c) solids, including organic waste, to be incinerated;
   • (d) other solid waste;
   • (e) radioactive material; and
   • (f) any other waste as may be prescribed.
3. (3) The Committee shall prepare, review annually and update its waste management plans, including plans on waste reduction, storage and disposal, specifying for each station, facility, field site, field camps, vessel and aircraft—
   • (a) programmes for cleaning up existing waste disposal sites and abandoned worksites;
   • (b) current and planned waste management arrangements;
   • (c) current and planned arrangements for analysing the environmental effects of waste and waste management;
   • (d) other measures aimed at minimising the environmental effects of waste and waste management.
4. (4) No separate information shall be required for small boats which are part of the operations of fixed sites or of vessels.
5. (5) The existing management plans for vessels and aircraft shall be taken into account in preparing the waste management plans under this section.
6. (6) The Committee shall, as far as practicable, prepare an inventory of locations of past activities, including traverses, fuel depots, field bases, crashed aircraft or any other accidents and such other areas as may be prescribed.
7. (7) The waste management plans and reports on their implementation shall be included in the annual exchange of information with other Parties to the Treaty.
8. (8) The Committee shall appoint or designate a waste management officer for each station, facility and worksite who shall monitor the implementation of the waste reduction and disposal plans and make proposals for their continued development.

1. (1) The following waste produced in Antarctica by generators of such waste shall be removed from there, namely:—
   • (a) radioactive substances within the meaning of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962);
   • (b) all kinds of batteries or components thereof;
   • (c) fuel, both liquid and solid;
   • (d) waste containing harmful levels of heavy metals or acutely toxic or harmful persistent compounds;
   • (e) Polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polystyrene foam, rubber, lubricating oils, treated timbers and other products which contain additives that may produce harmful emissions, if incinerated;
   • (f) all other plastic waste;
   • (g) fuel drums other than those required for logistics purposes;
   • (h) other solid, non-combustible waste including but not restricted to glass and metal scraps;
     • (i) residues of carcasses of imported animals;
   • (j) laboratory culture of microorganisms and plant pathogens;
   • (k) introduced avian products;
   • (l) ash and products of incineration;
   • (m) unserviceable machineries and equipment including electronics; and
   • (n) such other waste as may be prescribed.
2. (2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply to waste,—
   • (a) if they are incinerated, autoclaved or otherwise treated to be made sterile; or
   • (b) if the removal of such waste shall result in greater adverse environmental impact referred to in sub-section (5) of section 27, than leaving them in their existing locations.
3. (3) The domestic waste and other liquid waste shall be treated before removing from Antarctica and shall be disposed of on ice-free land areas, sea ice, ice shelves or the grounded ice-sheet and shall not be discharged into the lake either directly or indirectly: Provided that the standards for effluent discharge shall be such as may be prescribed.
4. (4) The provisions of sub-section (3) shall not apply to substances generated by station located on ice shelves or the grounded ice-sheet, provided that such waste are disposed of after treatment in deep ice pits which is the only practicable option and such pits are not located on known ice-flow lines which terminate at ice-free areas or in areas of high ablation.
5. (5) The waste under this section shall be disposed of into the sea subject to a permit issued in that regard under section 12.
6. (6) The waste generated at field camps shall be removed to supporting stations or vessels for disposal.

1. (1) The combustible waste which are not removed by generators of such waste shall be burnt in incinerators to a maximum extent practicable to avoid harmful emissions and shall not be burned openly.
2. (2) The standards for emission from incineration of waste under sub-section (1) and from other equipment and vehicles shall be such as may be prescribed.

1. (1) All waste to be removed from Antarctica, or otherwise disposed of by the generators of such waste, shall be segregated, contained, confined and stored in such a way so as to prevent their dispersal into the environment.
2. (2) The containers and tank-systems holding or used for storing hazardous waste shall be—
   • (a) in good and non-leaking condition;
   • (b) made of or lined with materials which will not react with, and are otherwise compatible with, the waste to be stored, so that the ability of the containers to contain such waste is not impaired;
   • (c) stored in a manner that allows access for inspection and response to emergencies; and
   • (d) inspected at least once in a week for identifying any leakage and deterioration thereof and shall be documented.