1. Introduction to terms relevant to discussion of mercury storage and disposal
Sven Hagemann GRS
Asia Pacific (AP) Regional Mercury Storage Project
Executive Committee (Execom) Meeting
29-30 July 2011, Surabaya, Indonesia

2. Goal of the “Introduction to Terms”
Describe terms and concepts used in the discussion of storage and disposal of mercury and mercury waste
Identify terms currently in use
Describe and explain terms and underlying concepts based on current practices or how the term is commonly used.
List definitions, where available, from the Basel Convention
The “Introduction to Terms” is for background information only.
Descriptions and definitions shall not pre-empt discussion at INC
Nevertheless, the glossary may serve as a basis to start with

3. Methodology List relevant terms. Sources:
UNEP studies, reports and documents presented at or prepared for mercury OEWG 1, OEWG 2, PREP-INC, INC-1, INC-2, UNEP Governing Council 24th and 25th sessions
Basel Convention, decisions and (draft) Technical Guidelines
Other relevant literature
Group similar and synonymous terms
Describe terms and concepts as they are currently used (independent of their legal relevance, consistency or compatibility)
Mention definitions from the Basel Convention or its Technical Guidelines, where availab
Definitions
Definitions were taken from existing conventions (Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam, Montreal) as appropriate
Otherwise, proposals presented on the basis of other sources (national/regional legislation, relevant literature) or combination thereof
Descriptions and explanations were added if definitions seemed to leave room for interpretation
Proposal made which term or terms could be further used and which terms could be avoided

4. General introduction
Overview on terms in this chapter
Illustrations
Description of terms in the form of questions and answers (Q&A)
Brief discussion of simliar terms

5. Four Groups of terms Mercury Mercury waste Mercury waste management
Storage and disposal

6. “Types” Of Mercury Mercury Source Legal Status Primary mercury
Secondary mercury
By-product mercury
Source
Commodity
Waste
Legal Status
Mercury
Elemental mercury
Mercury compound
Amalgam
Mercury added product
Chemical Form/ Use
Surplus mercury
Market Demand

7. Options for the management of mercury
Recovery/ Recycling
Mercury Waste
Commodities
By national definition or choice of owner
End-Of-Life
Mercury added products
Commodity Mercury and Mercury Compounds
Waste of Elemental Mercury
Waste Containing Mercury
Extraction
e.g. Measuring Devices Batteries Lamps
Elemental Mercury and Compounds Not Considered Waste
End-of-life Products
Waste from Industrial Processes
Elemental Mercury That is Considered Waste)*
Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury Waste (Basel Technical Guidelines)
Environmentally Sound Management of commodities
Collection/ Transport Temporary Storage Stabilization Final disposal
Transport Use
Storage

8. Basel Convention: a) Wastes listed in Annex I of BC
Basel Convention: Substances or objectes […] intended/ required for disposal
Hazardous waste
Basel Convention: a) Wastes listed in Annex I of BC
b) By national definition
Mercury waste
Classification: Basel Convention
OEWG VII (2010)
Waste consisting of mercury
Elemental mercury
End of life products, stabilized mercury
Waste containing mercury
Waste contaminated with mercury
Everything else

9. Environementally sound management (ESM) of hazardous waste
Waste management
BC: Collection, storage, treatment, transport, disposal, after-care of disposal sites
Environementally sound management (ESM) of hazardous waste
BC: taking all practicable steps to ensure that human health and the environment are protected against the adverse effects […]
Waste stabilisation/ solidification
Chemical stabilization
Chemical transformation
Microencapsulation
Embedment in an inert matrix
Macroencapsulation
Coverage with impermeable material
Storage
Disposal

10. On the way to “Storage” Storage of waste Preliminary Storage
Temporary Storage
Storage of commodities
Permanent storage
Underground storage
Warehouse storage
Long-term management and storage

11. The Right Way to “Storage”
Type of stored mercury
Commodity
Waste
„Storage“
Storage of commodities
Preliminary Storage
Storage of waste
Type of Storage facility
Temporary Storage
Above ground
Underground
Permanent storage
Long-term management and storage
Underground storage
Warehouse storage

12. The Right Way to “Storage”
Type of stored mercury
Commodity
Waste
Storage of waste before collection (e.g. by owner/ producer)
Storage of commodities
Preliminary Storage
Storage of waste
Storage of products and goods for later use or sale
Storage of waste before treatment/ final disposal/ recycling
Temporary Storage
Permanent storage
Final disposal, e.g. in underground mines

13. The Right Way to “Storage”
Type of Storage facility
Above ground
Underground
US concept of storing elemental Hg in warehouses for up to 40 years or more
Long-term management and storage
Final disposal (permanent storage) of mercury waste in underground mines
Underground storage
Warehouse storage
Storage of mercury (waste or non-waste) in aboveground warehouses

14. „Disposal“ in the narrower sense (as often commonly used)
Discarding a material or waste so that this is no longer used in its initial form
Disposal in the Basel Convention
Operations which do not lead to recycling, recovery, re-use
Recycling, recovery
Storage of waste
Treatment of waste
Specially engineered landfill
“Final Disposal”
Permanent storage
Other