Pilot projects

Pilot projects are being undertaken by members of the expert working group on environmentally sound management to serve as practical examples and a reference for Parties and others in their efforts to implement the environmentally sound management of hazardous and other wastes.

At its first and successive meetings, the expert working group selected a number of pilot projects for implementation in the short-term with the objectives of:

  1. Providing practical examples of how Parties and other stakeholders may use the tools developed under the Basel Convention to implement environmentally sound management and to receive feedback on those tools;
  2. Providing ideas for the development of new tools to assist Parties and other stakeholders in implementing environmentally sound management;
  3. Increasing the visibility of and support for the work of the expert working group and thereby promoting the implementation of the ESM Framework.

Arrangements for pilot project selection, implementation, evaluation and reporting

The twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties requested the expert working group to establish a steering group for the selection, oversight and evaluation of pilot projects. In response, the expert working group developed arrangements for pilot project selection, implementation, evaluation and reporting. The arrangements suggest the use of standardized forms for each project implementation stage: (i) Project proposal; (ii) Project selection, (iii) Project description, (iv) Final report and (v) Final evaluation.

Annex I to the document includes the terms of reference for a steering group composed of 10 members of the expert working group, with two representatives from each of the five United Nations regions. The steering group will exercise the following functions:

  1. Assess and recommend new pilot projects for selection by the expert working group;
  2. Provide overall guidance on project implementation, including on methodologies and substantive matters;
  3. Monitor the progress made in the implementation of pilot projects, including adherence to the terms of reference;
  4. Review the deliverables and provide timely comments to the proponents through the Secretariat; and
  5. Prepare an evaluation of pilot projects upon their finalization for the consideration by the expert working group.

Additional pilot projects of the expert working group served to test the practical manuals and fact sheets developed by the group.

Information on selected pilot projects

Title
Summary of content
Document
Prior informed consent and tack-back procedures Assessing if notifications, consents, inspections and enforcement of TBM of waste and tack-back procedures for illegal traffic represent ESM in Egypt, Madagascar and Tanzania
The project was proposed by Norway, Switzerland and Tanzania, and selected for implementation at the first meeting of the expert working group on environmentally sound management in December 2013. The Government of Switzerland kindly provided the funding for the project.
E-waste Assessing the status of e-waste recycling in selected countries in the Asia-Pacific region and facilitating the environmentally sound management of e-waste
The project was proposed by BCRC-China and selected for implementation at the first meeting of the expert working group in December 2013. The Government of Norway kindly provided the funding for the project
E-waste Assessing the status of environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes, including waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), in Central America
This pilot project was proposed by BCRC-CAM and selected for implementation at the first meeting of the expert working group in December 2013. The Government of Japan kindly provided the funding for this project.
Insurance, bond and guarantee Assessing financial guarantees to cover transboundary movements of hazardous and other wastes in South America
This pilot project was proposed by Argentina and selected for implementation at the third meeting of the expert working group in January 2015. The Government of Switzerland is kindly providing the funding for this project.
Project ongoing 
ULAB Assessing the environmentally sound management status of used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) recycling and identifying priority actions in selected countries in Asia
This pilot project was proposed by China and selected for implementation at the third meeting of the expert working group in January 2015. The Government of Switzerland is kindly providing the funding for this project.
Co-processing in cement kilns Promoting the environmentally sound co-processing of hazardous wastes in industry kilns for selected countries in Asia
This pilot project was proposed by BCRC-China and selected for implementation at the fourth meeting of the expert working group in November 2015. The Government of Norway is kindly providing the funding for this project.
Project ongoing 
E-waste Developing inventory, national strategy and training to enhance, promote and establish environmentally sound management in e-waste management in Liberia
This pilot project was proposed by Liberia and selected for implementation at the fourth meeting of the expert working group in November 2015. The Government of Norway is kindly providing the funding for this project.
Project ongoing 
Waste lighting products Identifying feasible strategies for environmentally sound management of spent lighting products in Chile
This pilot project was proposed by Chile and selected for implementation at the fourth meeting of the expert working group in November 2015. The Government of Japan is kindly providing the funding for this project.
Project ongoing
Testing the practical manuals and fact sheets Testing the Manual on General Policies and Legislation and Fact sheet on E-waste
This pilot project was proposed by BCRC-Slovakia and selected for implementation in November 2016. The European Union is kindly providing the funding for this project.
Testing the practical manuals and fact sheets Testing the Manual for Permits, Licenses or Authorizations, Fact Sheet on Waste Lead Acid Batteries and Fact Sheet on Waste Oils
This pilot project was proposed by BCRC-China and selected for implementation in November 2016. The European Union is kindly providing the funding for this project.
Testing the practical manuals and fact sheets  Identifying feasible strategies for the environmentally sound disposal of spent lighting products in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago
This pilot project was proposed by BCRC-Caribbean and selected for implementation in March 2018. The European Union kindly provided the funding for this project.
Testing the practical manuals and fact sheets Test and verify the applicability of the guidance to assist Parties in developing efficient strategies for achieving the prevention and minimization of the generation of hazardous and other wastes and their disposal
This pilot project was proposed by BCRC-Egypt and selected for implementation in March 2018. The European Union kindly provided the funding for this project.