The key issues associated with solid waste management, as highlighted in the State of the Environment Report for the Asia Pacific (ESCAP, 1995a), are the environmental health implications arising from inadequate coverage of waste collection, improper storage prior to collection and poor standards of disposal. It is estimated that 30–50 per cent of municipal solid waste is not collected (ESCAP, 1995a). 

The disposal of domestic and industrial waste is given relatively low priority in many countries; only around 70 per cent of the waste in urban municipal areas is collected and, of that, only about 5 per cent is treated (ESCAP, 1995b). Solid waste disposal is a particular problem in the small island states because of their limited land area. In some of these countries solid waste has been used for land reclamation, resulting in contamination and pollution of surrounding coastal areas. 

Extensive and reliable data on the generation of hazardous wastes in the Asia-Pacific region are not available. A rough estimate indicates that about 100 million tonnes are produced annually with as much as 90 per cent being generated in the People’s Republic of China and India (ESCAP, 1995a). About 60–65 per cent of these wastes are disposed in landfills, 5–10 per cent are dumped in the oceans, and only about 25 per cent are either incinerated or subject to physico-chemical treatment (which is the most suitable method of disposing of such wastes). However, there is growing awareness in the region, especially in countries such as Japan, People’s Republic of China and India, of methods for the detoxification of wastes and of their immobilization by fabrication into bricks and other usable products (ESCAP, 1995a). Another issue of concern is the traffic of wastes into the region. 

Disposal of wastewater poses another problem. In many places untreated domestic and industrial wastewaters are discharged directly into canals and rivers. In 1992 about 68.6 per cent of industrial wastewater and 18.5 per cent of municipal wastewater generated in the People’s Republic of China was treated (WRI/UNEP/UNDP, 1994). It is reported that of the 3,119 towns and cities in India, only 8 have full wastewater collection and treatment facilities and 209 have partial treatment facilities (ESCAP, 1992). Some Governments are in the process of taking measures to treat wastewater, for example the Government of Thailand has agreed in principal to establish a Central Waste Water Management Authority to consolidate policies and institutions to deal with this matter. The Government is also envisaging a role for private investments in setting up treatment plants (Government of Thailand, 1994). In Singapore, 36 industries were prosecuted in 1993 for discharging acidic effluents into the sewers (ASEAN, 1995). In addition, facilities for handling wastes and ensuring stringent enforcement of standards have improved significantly. 

The quantity of solid wastes being generated is increasing rapidly with growing economic activity and the production and use of consumer items. In addition, large quantities of industrial and hazardous waste, brought about by an expansion in chemical-based industry in the region, has exacerbated the waste management problem. Inadequate waste disposal and management facilities present serious environmental health implications and will continue to do so if corrective actions are not taken immediately. Such actions include not only the establishment of regulatory mechanisms but also effective enforcement of these regulations.