"CARTAGENA, Colombia -- More than 170 countries agreed Friday to accelerate adoption of a global ban on the export of hazardous wastes, including old electronics, to developing countries."
"The environmental group Basel Action Network called the deal, which was brokered by Switzerland and Indonesia, a major breakthrough.
'I'm ecstatic,' said its executive director, Jim Puckett. 'I've been working on this since 1989 and it really does look like the shackles are lifted and we'll see this thing happen in my lifetime.'
The deal seeks to ensure that developing countries no longer become dumping groups for toxic waste including industrial chemicals, discarded computers and cellphones and obsolete ships laden with asbestos, he said.
Delegates at the U.N. environmental conference in Cartagena agreed the ban should take effect as soon as 17 more countries ratify an amendment to the so-called 1989 Basel Convention."
Pedro Mendoza and Frank Bajak report for the Associated Press October 21, 2011.
Advertisement 
