INERCO Colombia analyses new regulation on waste disposal in urban settings

INERCO Colombia held a working breakfast to contextualise the applicability of the Waste disposal in urban settings regulation, targeting companies in the industrial, commercial and service sectors, such as pharmacology, cosmetics, textiles, food, major retail, hydrocarbons and health.

The event, held alongside INERCO’s regular technical conferences in Colombia, was attended by important representatives of local, regional and national environmental authorities, who informed the audience about managing waste disposal. This is a subject of recent concern, as many actors have been unaware of the evolution of regulations, which apply to all industrial, commercial and service sector activities and processes.

Proceedings were opened by Dr Carlos Álvarez, advisor to the Water Resources Directorate of the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development, who described the evolution of waste disposal regulations from the regulatory background up to the process of drafting and implementing the new regulation (Resolution 631 of 2015), placing emphasis on the importance of reducing and monitoring the contaminant substances discharged into bodies of water and the public sewerage system.

The event also featured the contribution of head officials of the local and regional bodies, Dr Francisco José Cruz, District Environmental Secretary for Bogotá and Dr Néstor Guillermo Franco, Director of the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca-CAR. They presented specific monitoring and surveillance actions being undertaken by these bodies and the cooperative and support exercises for companies, which they have and will continue to run with a view to compliance with the management of domestic and non-domestic waste disposal in accordance with environmental legislation. The aim of this is to guarantee compliance with the standards established in Resolution 631 of 2015.

Finally, INERCO Colombia professionals were responsible for offering the attendees the technical and legal tools necessary for understanding and comply with the applicable regulations in order to avoid potential notices and sanctions from the environmental authorities. The working breakfast, attended by representatives from 57 companies, had a broad scope, creating a stage to debate and solve participants’ general concerns.