The Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Ministry of the Interior announced on March 16 the signing of an inter-institutional agreement to implement a new Technical Guide for the final disposal of calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate in Ecuador’s sanitary landfills. The guide was developed with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Safe Handling and Disposal Program for Seized Drugs and Precursors (STAND).
The agreement aims to strengthen coordination between institutions for proper treatment and final disposal of these substances, which are considered auxiliary inputs in processes related to obtaining alkaloids derived from coca leaves. As such, they fall under national control policies managed by the Ministry of the Interior.
According to officials, the technical guide sets out procedures for environmentally sound management once alternatives for reintegration into lawful industry have been exhausted. It provides guidelines that comply with current environmental regulations, ensuring that seized chemicals are handled responsibly.
The document also allows these substances to be incorporated into non-hazardous waste management processes at sanitary landfills. This approach is expected to improve soil mechanical resistance and permeability while reducing public spending on storage and destruction costs.
A workshop was held during the event to explain how to apply the new guide. Specialized staff from both ministries as well as representatives from various local governments attended, as they will be responsible for implementing its technical procedures.
In a statement, government officials reaffirmed their commitment “to strengthen coordination between state institutions and local governments, with the aim of ensuring responsible and environmentally safe management of seized substances, protecting the environment, and contributing to control efforts against inputs linked to illicit activities in the country.”
