Maharashtra govt blasted on Union Carbide waste analysis and disposal - Hindustan Times

Conveying its strong displeasure in equally strong words, the Madhya Pradesh high court on Thursday lashed out at the Maharashtra government for its ‘casual’ approach on the issue of Union Carbide’s toxic waste disposal. The court gave three days to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to inspect Union Carbide’s Bhopal plant, collect samples and analyse the toxicity of the waste in two weeks.

A court had directed the MPCB last month to collect and examine the toxic waste and submit its findings. But on Thursday while hearing the case, the MPCB sought more time, which annoyed the court.

The court would now hear the matter on August 29 and directed the MPCB to furnish the details of the findings of toxic waste examination then. The court asked MP government to allow MPCB to carry out analysis of 346-tonne of the toxic material lying at the now defunct Bhopal plant.

The Jabalpur high court had last month granted a stay on its July 12 order directing MP government to transport toxic waste lying at Union Carbide’s abandoned Bhopal plant to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) facility near Nagpur for its scientific disposal. 

However, a division bench comprising justice Sushil Harkauli and justice U C Maheshwari made it clear that hazardous waste needs disposal and refused to curtail the process and directed MPCB to collect sample of toxic waste from Bhopal. This means the actual transportation of the toxic waste has been stayed until further orders.

Earlier, responding to a petition, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court had directed the state government to file an appropriate application before the MP high court to modify its earlier orders regarding dumping and incinerating the Union Carbide’s toxic waste near Nagpur, apparently to avoid conflict between two high courts.

Hence, a fresh application was filed before the MP court on the issue.

The petition was filed before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court when the Jabalpur bench directed the Madhya Pradesh government on July 12 to transport toxic waste to Nagpur and file compliance report by July 28.

The Jabalpur court’s directives to transport the toxic waste near Nagpur triggered resistance and anger among the people of Nagpur.

Local units of political parties, including the ruling Congress, NCP and BJP and environment activists opposed the move, though the DRDO had said it has the expertise and the facility for safe toxic waste disposal.

It was the then minister of forests and environment Jairam Ramesh, who suggested disposing the 346-tonne of Union Carbide waste at the DRDO facility. However, Ramesh did not take Maharashtra government into confidence while making such a suggestion.

People of Nagpur feel that it would pose a pollution threat for them. The toxic waste is lying on the Union Carbide factory premises in Bhopal for well over two and half decades.

The Maharashtra environment minister, Sanjay Deotale, had told the state Assembly last week that the government would approach the apex court, if necessary, to oppose the burning of toxic waste near Nagpur.

The minister made it clear that even transporting the material from Bhopal to Nagpur -- a journey of 360 km -- would also pose problems.

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Public hearing over hazardous waste disposal company's expansion plans - WWMT

PLAINWELL, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A hazardous waste disposal company in Plainwell is looking to expand and the DNRE wants you to weigh in.

Drug and Laboratory Disposal is located on Broad Street. News reports say it wants to increase the size of its operation nearly tenfold.

Environmental officials are considering the company's application and they're holding the first of a series of public hearings tonight to discuss the proposal and get input.

That meeting starts at 7:00 tonight at Plainwell City Hall.

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Year round hazardous waste disposal - Lake Country Calendar

Published: October 12, 2010 7:00 PM

Black Press

Lake Country residents will soon be able to dispose of hazardous household materials year-round as the Regional District of Central Okanagan has contracted a permanent provider.

Regional district waste reduction facilitator Rae Stewart said this year’s hazardous waste round-up on Oct. 16 is the 20th annual event, and the final one.

“We’ve been looking for a permanent year-round facility for a while now,” she said.

Stewart said The Battery Doctors on Windsor Road in Kelowna have been awarded a contract to provide drop-off facilities six days a week for hazardous household materials.

The demand for hazardous household waste disposal is substantial in the region.

She noted the annual round-up day was a stop-gap measure.

People became accustomed to it as the chemicals could not be disposed of at the landfill or by way of the sewer system.

Stewart pointed out people want to do the right thing, but don’t have a lot of options for some of the more unusual materials.

Items accepted at the round-up are anything with a flammable, explosive or poisonous label.

The list includes solvents, chemicals, corrosive or toxic cleaners, pesticides and old gasoline. Automotive and household batteries, and propane tanks, are also accepted at the event.

“This is a much easier solution for residents,” Stewart said.

She said drop-offs can begin at The Battery Doctors starting the following week after the round-up.

She noted the annual waste drop-off is a steady event in terms of traffic.

Crews usually see close to 50,000 litres of chemicals and close to 1,000 vehicles arrive during the day.

The 20th annual Household Hazardous Waste Round-up will take place on Oct. 16 at the KLO campus of Okanagan College, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Access to the site will be off Raymer Avenue at Kelowna Secondary School.

For more information, visit www.regionaldistrict.com or contact the waste reduction office at 250-469-6250.

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