How to Regulate Our Waste-Full World: Lessons from 50 Years of UN Sustainable Development Policy

Hazardous wastes pose serious risks to the environment and human health if not safely managed. They can pollute the air, water, soil and wildlife. Mercury, lead and other toxins found in some hazardous wastes can persist in the environment for years. Health impacts can include cancer, miscarriages, and birth defects, among others. These effects can and do harm communities for generations.

In the lead up to the 50th anniversaries of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment and the UN Environment Programme in June 2022, this briefing paper assesses the successes and shortcomings on hazardous waste policies and management efforts.