Moldova's waste imports: Regulations, risks, and recycling
Moldova is permitted to import non-hazardous waste from the European Union, which may only be used as raw material in industrial processes, in accordance with national legislation.
Authorities assure that this type of waste does not pose an environmental risk, despite circulating claims to the contrary. Meanwhile, Moldova exports hazardous waste due to insufficient recycling capabilities.
Alin Hartik, an entrepreneur who manufactures recyclable paper and cardboard packaging, recently received a grant of nearly 300,000 lei (~€15,000) from the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development to automate production processes. His company imports paper for bags and pouches used in the HoReCa industry and utilizes recycled paper to produce boxes.
I believe people have adapted and will continue to adjust to new conditions. When we only had virgin paper, it was quite expensive. Now, we have recycled paper, and while it might have been bothersome five years ago, today I see no issue with it. People have adapted, and costs are more manageable. My strong recommendation is to make every effort to recycle as much as possible and properly sort waste, such as plastic with plastic, as this greatly facilitates recycling efforts. Additionally, cleaner waste streams enhance recyclability and reusability.
Importing and exporting waste is not a new practice for Moldova. The country imports non-hazardous waste, including glass and cardboard, for use in various industries, while exporting electronic waste and batteries—primarily to Romania—due to a lack of local recycling infrastructure, noted Grigore Stratulat, State Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, in an interview with Radio Moldova.
Major scrap metal and glass processors import waste as raw material for industrial production processes. Many of the collected waste materials, including those from producers, cannot be recycled domestically due to limited capacity, leading to their export to Romania, including hazardous waste. Some household appliances contain hazardous waste, which is sent to the European Union for recovery. We do not import hazardous waste, as this is strictly prohibited.
The import of any type of waste or residues into Moldova, whether in raw or processed form, is strictly regulated by law. Consequently, only a limited range of waste—such as glass, cardboard, and polyethylene polymers—is permitted for import. Grigore Stratulat reiterated that the import of non-hazardous waste does not pose an environmental threat, contrary to certain claims in the public sphere.
Waste Law No. 209, adopted in 2016, contains Annex No. 7, which specifies the types of waste that may be imported into Moldova exclusively for use as raw materials. These materials must undergo mandatory processing and be incorporated into a technological process. Most importantly, importers or economic agents handling such waste are required to hold authorization for processing them. Contrary to some experts' misinterpretations, importing waste from the European Union is not a new practice, and these materials do not harm the environment. The authorities ensure that economic agents using waste as raw materials can continue their operations safely and responsibly.
In total, 24 non-EU countries have requested authorization from the European Commission to import non-hazardous waste from the European bloc. These materials include packaging, clothing, glass, paper, cardboard, plastics, demolition debris (such as concrete, bricks, and stones), as well as food and agricultural residues, plastic scraps, and more. For example, in 2023, Moldova imported approximately 30,000 tons of glass waste.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
