This document has been prepared by a working group under the Nordic Council of Ministers as an input to the ongoing discussions on how to improve management of mercury waste in the Nordic countries.

The objective of the document has been to establish a common Nordic view on the problems related to mercury waste, and to contribute to the development of a Nordic strategy on treatment and disposal of mercury waste. The objective has, furthermore, been to consider options for Nordic co-operation in this field with due respect to the goals and strategies for the individual countries.

It was the intention, that the document could identify and recommend specific actions and strategies aimed directly at improving treatment and disposal of mercury waste in the Nordic countries. This has, however, not been possible, as the present practices and strategies in the Nordic countries on key issues like recycling differ to an extent, that makes very specific recommendations premature. Instead the document has focused on identifying the relevant key issues, which need to be agreed on in the Nordic countries as a prerequisite for establishing a common Nordic strategy on treatment and disposal of mercury waste.