Waste sorting is difficult due to poor infrastructure
Waste sorting will become mandatory in the coming years. Recyclables such as cardboard, metal, plastic, glass and mixed household waste will be collected separately. Legislative amendments to this effect will be debated and adopted by the Parliament shortly.
By sorting waste, less garbage will end up in the environment, claims Irina Balica, a representative of a sorting and recycling company in Chisinau. The company processes 600 tons of waste daily, and approximately 40% is recycled.
“So, we receive waste at this sorting plant from the municipal self-sanitation company and from the clients we serve. After the sorting process, mixed and separated solid household waste is recycled at another plant, where all types of plastic are processed. The rest of the waste that can be recovered is also sent to other recyclers,” said Irina Balica, a representative of the sorting and recycling company.
According to Irina Balica, for now, operators cannot collect waste separately due to poor infrastructure. She claims that this process requires radical changes and large investments. Also, she says that it is necessary to implement control levers so that the law is respected.
“As for our work at the sorting plant, of course, it is correct that we already sort the pre-sorted waste at home. What we have today is an adaptation to the current situation, the situation in which people sort a little, but still sort. And we have adapted our equipment to this type of waste, mixed waste and pre-sorted waste at home. It is not that the law will only make our work easier. This law, first of all, is to prevent pollution, to prevent as little plastic as possible. Unfortunately, the Republic of Moldova is flooded with landfills.”.
Moreover, the State Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Grigore Stratulat, claims that amendments to the Contravention Code will be proposed later so that those who do not sort waste separately are sanctioned.
“It is very important to reduce the volume of waste that ends up in landfills, the so-called landfills. In this way, we better protect the environment. In addition, if we collect recyclable waste separately, it is easier for us, after sorting it into recyclable fractions, to separately select plastic, metal, paper and cardboard, to reintroduce them into the economy. Thus, we transfer them to recyclers, so that they can use them as raw materials for other products,” explained Grigore Stratulat.
Grigore Stratulat said that the draft law would regulate the relations between central and local public authorities and the population. Also, citizens will have to conclude contracts for the sanitation service or pay a sanitation fee.
All changes will be introduced gradually so that those involved in the process can adapt to the new provisions.
