The principal object of this Act, is to provide for the protection, improvement and preservation of the environment, to set objectives and guiding principles aimed at protecting the environment and human health for the promotion of environmental principles so as to facilitate the implementation of international commitments including the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in Seychelles and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The Act empowers the officers as an authorized officer to implement specific provision of this Act by giving the officers right to enter, inspect, t
The waste management and Standards section comprises of two units;
- Waste Management Unit:
The Vision of the Government of Seychelles is one where solid waste is sustainably managed which results in an improved quality of life, protect the environment and increase economic activity. The overall goal is to ‘’protect the environment and public health through the sustainable management of solid waste’’
Policy objectives:
- To manage waste in a sustainable manner with a greater emphasis on source reduction, recycling and source recovery.
- To manage waste in a cost-effective manner where the generator of waste pay the as far as possible the cost for managing their waste.
- To increase the institutional and human capacity for the management of solid waste
Within the Ministry the waste management unit is responsible for:
- Developing an integrated waste management system
- Conducting research towards potential funding sources and waste treatment technologies.
- Gathering necessary data
- Identifying different technologies for the treatment and processing of waste
- Promoting the 3Rs for the development of recycling or waste recovery program
- Reviewing the institution and legal framework for waste management
- Standards Unit:
Under the environment Protection Act 2016, the Ministry may prescribe:
- Standards and safeguards
- Regulation for protection of water
- Authorization and application to discharge effluent
- Regulation for noise emission standards
- Standards and regulation of waste
Responsibility of the standards officers:
- Authorization to discharge effluent from STP and ensure compliance according to the Environment protection regulations (Standards)
- Restriction on single use plastic items
- Grant Authorization to import biodegradable products
- Grant VAT exemption on biodegradable products and equipment
- Inspect exported containers containing waste according to the Basel convention
- Grant authorization to dispose of hazardous waste such as asbestos, chemicals..
- Monitor noise pollution in residential and industrial areas
- Issue authorization to import chemicals or any other goods according to the EPA
Managing Chemicals in our environment
With the rapid socio economic development of the country, more chemicals are being used in the environment. These include petroleum and allied products, pesticides, cleaning agents, heavy industry related chemicals and food processing related industry. Some of these are released in the environment and if not done correctly, these could threaten wildlife.
The waste Management and Standards Section of the Environment Department has the responsibility to ensure that no harmful chemicals are discharged into the environment but are disposed where they are supposed to. The Landscape and Waste Management Agency (LWMA) (Link to the Function) are responsible for monitoring the disposal of waste in all forms including: liquid, solid and gas.
Government has put in place the relevant institutional framework to monitor the importation of pesticide The ‘Pesticide Board’ comprising of members from various ministries (Environment, Agriculture and Health) to deal with the management of pesticides.. These functions are regulated under carious laws administered by the different Ministries and Agency.
Law | Agency | Area of Regulation |
Public Health Act | Ministry of Health | Safe use of chemicals |
Pesticide Act | Government | Safe use of chemicals |
Health and Safety Regulations | Ministry of Health | |
Health and Safety Act | Ministry of Health | Management of Chemicals |
Environment Protection Act | Landscape and Waste Management Agency | Chemical and Waste Disposal |
Pesticides are chemicals used to control of pests and to enhance productivity when used correctly resulting in an improvement of crop yields. However when used in excess and not used as instructed, they can pose a serious threat to human health and to the natural environment. Such mismanagement can result in residual pesticide accumulations in the environment, rendering the soil infertile and causing high toxicity levels in the blood of humans and livestock, both resulting in irreversible damage. Therefore, it is important for chemicals to be properly managed.
Good Chemical Management involves:
- Labelling and safety information
Manufacture labelling provides basic information to individual pesticides. Ensure that the following information are well listed on the label:
Active ingredients
concentration
• toxicity
• formulation and expiry dates
• dosage
• appropriate symbols and pictograms
• written instructions
- Hazards and Personal Safety Equipment (PSE):
Part of responsible management is ensuring the appropriate PSE by all persons involved with the handling of hazardous products. The need is reinforced by the fact that accidental poisonings usually occur when Personal Safety Equipment is not used during handling.
- Emergency Management and Spills
An important first step in dealing with spills is to have a plan of action in place with the necessary response equipment in close proximity. Spills must be dealt with immediately to minimize damage. If a spill occurs which cannot be dealt with by the personnel on site, it should be reported immediately to the proper agencies.
- Disposal
Knowing how to deal with old expired pesticide/chemical stocks requires the assistance of a qualified person who can advise on the proper means of dealing with these products. No expired chemical should ever be disposed of in Seychelles unless the health and safety of all inhabitants and the environment can be guaranteed. Owing to the fact that Seychelles is not fully equipped to deal with ‘hazardous waste’, chemicals falling into that category are exported to countries like Reunion for proper disposal. Other types of waste which are not necessarily hazardous but need proper treatment are incinerated, after which the ash is deposited in a designated landfill.
- Public Education
Passing on information to members of the public regarding chemical management is an important way of ensuring safe use of these chemicals. The more people know about the risks and dangers surrounding mismanagement of chemicals, the more care will be invested in using them. Sensitization is done for all ages starting with school children right through to employees. The Pesticide Board in Seychelles is responsible for distributing information to members of the public who use chemicals.
- Gaps in Chemical Management
Information exchange remains one of the priorities in chemical management around the world, and Seychelles is not an exception. It is vital that people have access to the right information so that they can make proper use of chemicals without causing adverse effects to the environment and public health. The government of Seychelles is working on information sharing and dissemination especially to members of the public in an effort to better manage chemicals.