Denmark is a small country with a total area of 43,000 km2 lying in the northern part of Europe. The country is surrounded by sea except for a short terrestrial border (70 km) to Germany. Denmark has the environmental responsibility of a total area of 100,000 km2 of the surrounding sea.

62% of the land area is used for agricultural purposes. 12% of the area is forest area. The forest area is increasing, the overall strategy is to double the forest area within the next 80 to 100 years. The urban area and the summer cottage zones occupy 5% of the total area.

About 5 million people live in Denmark. The average population density is 120 habitants pr. km2. The education level of the population is such, that 15% of the 15 -69 years old have completed a higher education level, 30% have completed a basic vocational school and 41% of the 15 - 69 years old have completed a general basic education level (9 years - primary and lower level secondary education).

48% of the gross domestic product (GPD) is generated by the private service sector, 25% is generated by the manufacturing industry, raw materials extraction and building and construction sector, 23% by the public sector and 3.7% by the agricultural sector.

Denmark is a member of the European Union. The European Commission can represent its members in international negotiations when it is within the competence of the Commission, which means the EU plays a prominent role in the solution of the environmental problems within the boundaries of the Union.

About 100,000 chemical products are marketed in Denmark which involve the use of more than 20,000 chemical substances. The most significant issues for the use of chemicals are the iron and metal industry, the chemical industry and the repairs/service sector.

According to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency ("Denmark's Nature and Environment Policy 1995") the total annual consumption of chemical products is about 8 million tonnes.

In table 3.1 the consumption of different categories of chemicals is presented. The data presented is based on "Statistic Yearbook, Statistics Denmark, 1996".

Table 3.1 Consumption of Chemical Products

1 The number in the parenthesis represents the amount of the active ingredients

The import of inorganic chemicals and organic chemicals are available from the statistics on foreign trade from Statistics Denmark.

The production of hazardous waste in 1995 in Denmark is presented in table 3.2. The data is based on "Statistics of Waste 1995", Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

The amount of treated hazardous chemical waste at the chemical treatment plant Kommunekemi A/S in 1995 is presented in table 3.3. The data presented is based on "Statistic Yearbook, Statistics Denmark, 1996" and "Statistics of Waste 1995", Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

1 Statistical Yearbook 1996, Statistics Denmark.