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Description
Project Summary: Association Ecotic, a Romanian non-profit founded by electrical equipment producers, is committed to responsible WEEE collection and recycling. With 600 beneficiaries, their activities include WEEE collection, infrastructure development, compliance support, and awareness campaigns. Challenges include municipal centres, low-quality WEEE, and improper handling. To address this, the project transfers knowledge from Norwegian waste management firms, funded by the EEA and Norway Grants through Innovation Norway.
Main Outcomes: Enhancing waste management competitiveness in Romania through Norwegian knowledge transfer. Addressing WEEE, municipal centers, and low-quality waste issues. Further, this project will seek to strengthen bilateral relations through cooperation with Norwegian partners.
Main Outputs: Workshops, tours, and materials promoting knowledge exchange among Romanian waste management companies. Aiming for improved waste management, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
This project is centred around 4 key activities. These include:
- Activity 1 Workshop (part 1) to obtain inputs in preparing the study tour with the target group- Activity 2 Organizing study tours in Norway and know-how transfer in waste management and especially in managing a Municipal Collection Center - Activity 3 Organizing a follow-up workshop (part 2) with target group for enhancing proper waste management, focusing on best practices observed in Norway- Activity 4 Project set up, management and communication
This project has a strong bilateral component through its cooperation with INERGEO AS
In this project, InErgeo will assist the Ecotic t in preparing the project, will organize and 7/12 conduct the on-site visits with Romanian delegations at the Municipal waste collection centers and the roundtable discussions with Norwegian entities, ensuring the know-how transfer and enhancing the opportunity of future cooperation.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several challenges faced by waste management companies in Romania, particularly in the areas of waste collection and recycling. These challenges included the lack of experience in managing municipal collection centers, low quantities and poor quality of Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) collected, and improper handling and vandalization of WEEE. Additionally, there was a need for better communication with citizens and proper reuse and recycling of various waste flows, including construction waste, textiles, hazardous waste, furniture, and compost.
The project involved several key activities to address the identified challenges:
- Workshops: The project organized workshops to gather information on the current reality, feedback, and needs from the target group. These workshops included presentations on the Norwegian waste management system and responsibilities.
- Study Tours: The project organized study tours in Norway for representatives from Romanian waste management companies. These tours included visits to municipal collection centers and roundtable discussions with Norwegian experts to facilitate know-how transfer.
- Follow-up Workshops: After the study tours, follow-up workshops were held in Romania to review lessons learned, discuss guidelines, and provide training on proper WEEE handling.
- Project Management and Communication: The project included coordination, regular meetings, interim and final reporting, and the production of a 15-minute documentary about the project.
The project achieved several outcomes and impacts:
- Increased Competitiveness: The project boosted the competitiveness of Romanian waste management companies by improving their skills in operating municipal collection centers and handling WEE.
- Enhanced Business Cooperation: The project enhanced business cooperation between Romanian and Norwegian waste management companies.
- Training and Guidelines: A total of 30 employees from 15 waste management companies received training and know-how transfer. Additionally, a guideline with recommendations was produced and disseminated to the target group and other waste management companies in Romania.
Summary of bilateral results
The project benefited significantly from having a partner, InErgeo AS from Norway, which provided expertise in waste management and municipal waste collection sites. The main results included successful know-how transfer through study tours and workshops, enhanced cooperation between Romanian and Norwegian companies, and the production of a guideline and documentary. The plan to continue includes ongoing collaboration and future projects to further improve waste management practices in Romania.