Statement by
Ms. Shuli Davidovich
Ms. Shuli Davidovich
Counsellor
2 March 2011 Thank you Mr. Chairperson,
I would like to thank the panelists for their informative and interesting presentations. As was emphasized in the presentations, we must find sustainable solutions –– both in environmental and social terms –– for waste management.
Israel is currently exploring improved methods to address its own recycling rates and waste management. Through this process, we have discovered that there is a need to better share lessons learned and successful practices between governments and industry.
Later this week, Israel will be submitting a more extensive paper regarding these themes. For now, I will highlight the following suggestions for policy options to address waste management.
New policy approaches such as product extended responsibility rather than producer extended responsibility should be considered.
Additionally, as was pointed out during the presentations today, waste is a commodity that can and should be converted to wealth. Programs that address this issue can be highly effective in tackling both unsafe environments and poverty in developing countries.
Furthermore, to set up waste management systems that are effective in terms of sustainable environmental development and economic advancement, there must be an improvement in reliable data collection.
Lastly, we must improve education at all levels. Industry is not aware of the economic opportunities of different waste streams; consumers are not educated about the impact of the waste they generate or the opportunities to recycle; both industry and government are missing skilled professionals in this area; and academic programs are lacking in courses that teach the economics of waste management.
In order to make the transition toward efficient waste management, long-term planning with an integrated approach is needed. Only through collaboration between central governments, local municipalities and the private sector can this transformation take place successfully.
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
I would like to thank the panelists for their informative and interesting presentations. As was emphasized in the presentations, we must find sustainable solutions –– both in environmental and social terms –– for waste management.
Israel is currently exploring improved methods to address its own recycling rates and waste management. Through this process, we have discovered that there is a need to better share lessons learned and successful practices between governments and industry.
Later this week, Israel will be submitting a more extensive paper regarding these themes. For now, I will highlight the following suggestions for policy options to address waste management.
New policy approaches such as product extended responsibility rather than producer extended responsibility should be considered.
Additionally, as was pointed out during the presentations today, waste is a commodity that can and should be converted to wealth. Programs that address this issue can be highly effective in tackling both unsafe environments and poverty in developing countries.
Furthermore, to set up waste management systems that are effective in terms of sustainable environmental development and economic advancement, there must be an improvement in reliable data collection.
Lastly, we must improve education at all levels. Industry is not aware of the economic opportunities of different waste streams; consumers are not educated about the impact of the waste they generate or the opportunities to recycle; both industry and government are missing skilled professionals in this area; and academic programs are lacking in courses that teach the economics of waste management.
In order to make the transition toward efficient waste management, long-term planning with an integrated approach is needed. Only through collaboration between central governments, local municipalities and the private sector can this transformation take place successfully.
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
