Integrated Management and Environmentally Sound Disposal of POPs Pesticides and Mercury in Healthcare and Agricultural Sectors in Sri Lanka To improve the regulatory framework, strengthen national capacities in agricultural chemicals and mercury management, and support the transformation of healthcare waste management systems. Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency. TheGlobal Environmental Benefits (GEB) of this project at the CEO Endorsement stage, include additional disposal quantities in mercury and mercury-contained wastes as compared to what was presented at the PIF stage. The total environmentally sound disposal quantities will include: 22.6 MT of POPs pesticides and cross-contaminated agrochemicals stockpiles (9 MT of liquid and 13.6 MT of solid) from the agricultural sector; 8.8 + 41 +50 = 99.8 MT of mercury and mercury-contained wastes from healthcare facilities. The additional 50 MT of mercury and mercury wastes is the quantity that will be generated from the demonstration activities carried out, plus an estimated 3,585 MT of CO2 eq emission, will be avoided during the five year duration of the Project.In addition to reducing the quantities of stockpile POPs pesticides and cross-contaminated agrochemicals in the agricultural sector and mercury and mercury-contained wastes in the healthcare sector, the Project will strengthen human and instrument capacities in laboratory analysis, and provision of portable gas analyzers to enable Customs officials for quick detecting, testing, and verifying imported products, to carry out checks and verifications so as to control illegal imports at entry point. Together with the establishment of a centralized digitized information management system, the effective monitoring of import, appropriate use as intended, and the safe disposal of POPs pesticides, agrochemicals and mercury-containing medical devices, and a strengthened institutional coordination mechanism, will reduce/prevent misuse of banned and restricted POPs chemicals and related products, generate economic and social benefits to protect human health and the environment.The Green Finance Framework (GFF) that will be developed for promoting mercury phase-out in the healthcare sector will help to address challenges in the deployment of non-incineration HCWM technology to reduce UPOPs emissions that will result through open burning or incineration. This will ensure that the interest and wellbeing of small and medium sized healthcare facilities and other stakeholders will be taken into consideration to minimize negative social and economic impacts on these entities.Through the proposed review, an update and adaption of policies, regulatory frameworks and technical standards is expected to be carried out under this Project. It will facilitate and improve the procedures for implementation related to the Pesticide Control Act (use of illegal agrochemicals), Import Expert Control Act and Custom Ordinance (HS code review), National Environment Act (monitoring Environmental Protection Licensing, and Scheduled Waste Management Licensing), draft national policy on Chemical Management, gender responsive mercury and mercury waste management in the healthcare sector, as an effective mean to control/reduce emissions of POPs to air. As a result, UPOPs emission reduction in the amount of 4.2 gTEQ/year and 6.92 gTEQ/year will be achieved at the Northwestern and Eastern provinces respectively. With the technical guidance and training materials prepared for the sound management of wastes containing mercury, and the standards and regulations on HCWM revised, the environmentally safe management of healthcare wastes that will happen in many healthcare facilities will generate significant social and economic benefits in safeguarding workers’ health for a large population of hospital staff that includes doctors, nurses, paramedics, cleaning and security personnel.The Project will also pilot integrated recycling program at six (6) healthcare facilities that will partner with the private sector to assess on recycling potential so as to facilitate the proper collection, recycling and reuse of valuable materials. A direct positive effort of this intervention may yield opportunities to creation of “green jobs” relating to HCW recycling, as it will explore alternative income generation opportunities by facilitate the partnership between hospitals, Local Authorities and waste collectors.The establishment of two (2) Centralized Clinical Waste Treatment Facilities (CCWTFs) using non-incineration technology and linked to an existing landfill will support the MoH with a PPP model to operate such HCW treatment facilities that will also treat HCW from small and micro healthcare facilities that are not able to operate in a sustainable manner. Together with the development of a de-centralized non-incineration HCWM strategy for medium and small-scale healthcare facilities, the Project will push forward interventions that will provide substantial economic and social benefits to these small and medium healthcare facilities.Strengthened policy, regulatory, institutional, monitoring and analysis frameworks to control and address illegal import, and promotion of safe use and disposal of agricultural and healthcare wastes, will safeguard human health and the environment. Knowledge and experience gained, as well as lessons learned through implementation of project activities and positive results of the demonstrations, will be shared to facilitate long-term sustainability and raise awareness for the healthcare sector personnel. Such interventions on environmentally sound management are consistent with the national and local priorities, which will not only generate local and national benefits, but will contribute to global human health and a safe environment.