Design of EPR for priority product groups in Moldova

Tatiana TUGUI, EPPO managertel. 373 22 22 45 42, email: tatiana.tugui@eppo.md

Waste management policy National Strategy on Waste management, approved on 7.03.2013

by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, published in Official Monitor on 10.04.2013.

Strategic Vision: to develop until 2027 an integrated waste management system which would be economically efficient and would assure the protection of human health and environment.

Strategic goal and objectives The strategy aims to promote a new way of household waste collection, recovery of re-usable materials, which would contribute to the decrease in the amount of disposed waste.

The general objectives of the strategy are: Harmonize the legal, institutional and regulatory

framework with the EU standards based on regional approach (8 waste management regions).

Build regional infrastructure for MSW landfills and transfer stations

Develop collection systems and treatment of specific waste flows (packaging, WEEE, tires, batteries, etc.) by promoting and implementing the principle of producer responsibility, including hazardous waste (medical, oils, etc.), with one collection point per region

Implemented and ongoing projects on WEEE management

Slovak Aid Programme support: “Introduction of Environmentally Sound

Management of Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment”, 10/2011 – 09/2012 Analysis of current situation in Moldova and preparing a

database of producers/importers of EEE Technical and legal proposals for WEEE management in

Moldova Awareness raising among stakeholders

“Strengthening capacities for building environmentally sound management with E-waste in the Republic of Moldova”, 09/2013 - 09/2014

Current WEEE management EEE import to Moldova was officially about 3.4 kg/person (2009) Adding Transnistria, this figure reaches 4.5 kg/person.

Extended Producer Responsibility Producer is able to influence

Product design Hazardous material content Consumer behaviour

Producer is responsible for Collection Treatment Recovery and recycling of waste

Producer is obliged to Set up waste collection system Set up system for WEEE treatment using BAT To support financially collection and treatment system

Producer can fulfil obligation Individually or Collectively as a member of the compliance scheme

Proposed models for WEEE management

Model I – centralised system Model II – extended producer responsibility Technical solutions Legal frame (EPR obligations, financial tools,

information tools, control measures, system of punishment).

Waste Management Plan

Model I Centralised System

Establishment by law of a non-profit state institution – centre for WEEE management, controlled by the government (Ministry of Environment).

The WEEE Centre would bear all costs of WEEE collection, treatment and other expenses connected with WEEE system.

Financing by producers (importers) of EEE Contribution = weight of EEE put on the market x rate Rate = A + B + C

A = costs of WEEE collection, transport and treatment

B = labour and operational costs of the WEEE Centre

C = other expenses (information campaigns, IT support, etc.)

Model II – Extended Producer Responsibility

Producers (importers) of EEE (individually or by joining collective schemes) would be responsible for collection, recycling and recovery as well as financing of WEEE management.

Agreement to be signed between producers (importers) and municipalities on choice of collection system, terms, places and financing of WEEE collection.

Producers (importers) will be responsible for providing take-back system in selling points.

Producers (importers) of EEE (individually or through collective schemes) will communicate with distributors who handle WEEE.

The role of the government is limited to monitoring (of invoices, weight certificates, bills of delivery, etc.) and enforcement

Model II – EPR Collective schemes

Collective schemes would be non-profit private companies established by producers (importers) of EEE on a voluntary basis.

The conditions of establishment of collective schemes can be regulated by law.

Collective schemes would meet all requirements put on producers (importers) of EEE: separate collection; recycling, recovery and disposal, record-keeping and reporting, registration in the Register of Producers.

Enforcement and control of EPR

Conclusions – Model I Model I can be established very quickly after

decision of parliament and could be effective during the first years of implementation Financial sources would be accumulated in one place

and money would be distributed to most complicated areas.

After a few years of implementation, the WEEE Centre could start to impede the development of infrastructure and the market.

Decisions of a central body are not usually based on market needs but on short-term priorities of the government, not leading to long-term sustainability.

Conclusions – Model II Model II is based on the free-market idea when

all obligations are put on producers (importers) of EEE and represents a sustainable solution for the long term.

Producers can influence EEE design and production in order to simplify WEEE treatment.

Unlike a centralised system, Model II does not influence the waste market negatively and leads to building of sustainable waste management infrastructure based on real needs.

However, is not very effective during the first years of implementation.

Progress made and next steps for EPR implementation in Moldova

Preliminary regulatory impact assessment (RIA) was accepted by the government on 5 February 2014

Adoption of amended framework Law on Waste Preparing transposition of Directive 2012/19/EU Drafting a regulation on WEEE and preparing a

final RIA To draft TOR for soft development on information

system on waste management, including an EPR Register

Thank you for your attention!

Tel/fax. (+ 373 22) 22 25 42 E-mail: tuguitatiana@ymail.com