Where to properly dispose of electrical and electronic waste? (VIDEO) – Society

After Danas wrote that 41% of citizens dispose of electrical and electronic waste in a container, which is not suitable because it is hazardous waste, a large number of citizens complained that they do not know where they can leave such waste. Some also stated that collectors find it more difficult to attend the call for small electrical appliances (hair dryer, mixer, iron …).

In Serbia, as we have learned, there are sporadic places where citizens can dispose of electrical and electronic waste themselves, and these are mostly operators’ offices. Otherwise, the addresses and numbers of the recycling centers are not displayed on the websites of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency or the utility companies. Therefore, if someone wants to throw away their broken refrigerator, washing machine, hair dryer or computer, they are forced to “google” the Internet to reach the number of buyers, operators, or put them in the “junk”, which is especially the case. in rural areas.

“Every residential building should in future have a kind of electronic portal, where citizens would be informed about this important information,” believes Demostat CEO Aleksandar Stefanović after the investigation they conducted for Danas.

The Association of Recyclers of Serbia claims that despite the problems, recycling of electrical and electronic waste is taking place, and that the awareness of citizens is growing.

On the website of the Association of Recyclers of Serbia, within the section members, there is a list of companies dealing with recycling, of which electronic recycling for electrical and electronic waste is outlined (Bulevar Sv. Cara Konstantina 82-86, Nis, 0800 085 085, 018 4583832), Božić i sinovi (Maksima Gorkog br. 2, Pančevo, 013 618 064, 013 619 017), REC-EE-O (Take Buše 14, Beograd, 011 6580 586 ), Metalprom (Živana Kutišanca bb, Valjevo, 014 3592085), Maksi Co (Donji Adrovac bb. Žitkovac 018 4800460).

– Citizens can take electrical and electronic waste to the recycling center or, as often as possible, call the recycling center to have them come to their home to collect their device in ruins. In Belgrade, in addition to the recycling centers, citizens have at their disposal a place or containers for the disposal of EE waste and light bulbs inside the “Olympus” Sports Center. Also, in the store where they buy new equipment, they can ask if they can deliver a worn device for recycling because some stores collect it. Citizens and companies contact us every day via e-mail, social networks and telephone with the question of which recycling center to call to collect a refrigerator, television or some other type of waste, and we are happy to answer all questions and we are very happy that many people are interested in recycling, the general secretary of the Association of Recyclers of Serbia, Suzana Obradovic, told Danas Online.

According to her, a dozen companies deal with waste treatment in the USA.Each of these recycling centers cooperates with dozens of companies dealing with the collection and transportation of waste in the USA.

“This recycling area employs several thousand people, who work in recycling centers, in collection companies, or are individual collectors,” says Obradović.

He adds that it is difficult to estimate how much Serbia generates EE waste per capita and that this must be addressed by the competent institutions, to make a comprehensive assessment, since it must be taken into account that this waste is stored in landfills and nature.

“Year after year, the citizens of our country are increasingly responsible with the environment and more willing to hand over household appliances for recycling, as well as the companies that have generated this type of waste during their activity.” Growing amounts of this type of recyclable waste speak for that. In 2019, more than 35,000 tonnes of EE waste were processed in recycling centers, which is equivalent to about 5 kg per capita, which is an excellent result. And a growth of 10 percent was achieved compared to 2018, when 32,000 tons were recycled, ”says Obradović.

The EE waste container at Olympus is an example of good local practice

When asked how zealous the local governments are to cooperate and organize EE waste collection in their territories, our interlocutor points out that they do not have a developed EE waste collection system and that they generally do so sporadically.

“Local self-governments usually organize an action to collect this type of waste from citizens once or several times a year. It would be extremely important for local governments to establish EE waste collection centers, that is. places where citizens can deliver their worn-out appliances. This is especially important for small appliances that citizens could easily bring in, and these devices usually end up in a container. For large devices, citizens often cannot provide transportation, and for them, local governments should, that is. utility companies are organizing the takeover of citizens, “says Suzana Obradović.

As an example of good practices on how we can all contribute to a healthier environment at the local, the Zvezdara Ecological Center – ZEC, the winner of this year’s award from the City of Belgrade for organizing the “Creative Recycling Festival”. In 2016, they started EE’s waste disposal action in cooperation with the NGO Zvezdara, SC “Olimp” and the operator “Božić i sinovi”, which has been converted into a mini recycling center. The container for the purchase of EE waste is located in the sports hall, at the entrance of Vojvode Blažete street, and the telephone number that citizens can call is 063 641424.

“Last month, we collected four tons of waste from EE, which speaks to the level of awareness among our citizens about the importance of recycling and primary selection. We want it to be a permanent habit in Zvezdara,” says the secretary of the ZEC Association. , Biljana Pantelić, for Danas Online.

This association organizes free eco-workshops every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at Club 503 on King Alexander Boulevard, entitled “Everyone Can Because It’s Easy – Ecological Salvation for Everyone.” According to our interlocutor, the workshops are intended for everyone from seven to 77 years old, and there is also talk of EE waste, among other things.

Involve dealers

“In addition to local self-governments, EE equipment distributors, that is, vendors, must also be included in the collection system, because according to current regulations, they are obliged to take care of household equipment waste. end-user purchasing new equipment from the vendor, “says Obradović.

When we checked into Tehnomania stores, we found out that they used to buy old devices, which no longer work, but they kindly referred us to E-Recycling and offered their contact 0800-085-085. You also can’t leave your old devices at Gorenje stores, because they don’t take care of that. We got advice from some vendors “to check if the device can be repaired first”, and some recommended that we offer appliance services “maybe someone will buy old devices for parts”.

In the Wholesale Market of Belgrade in 2012 a space was opened for, among other things, the disposal of electronic and electrical waste. Interestingly, when we called them today via info number 011 / 715-84-91 to check if it still exists, they first told us “it used to be”, and then the “informant” had to consult a colleague. Do you have that, and then tell us to still call on business days?

However, until the conclusion of this text, we have not received answers from the competent Ministry of Environmental Protection to questions about places where citizens can dispose of their EE waste, data from the last year of inspection that controls the correct management of this type of waste. waste, how many infractions and what are the consequences. We have not received a response on other plans to regulate illegal landfills.

We mainly recycle refrigerators

In Serbia, large household appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines are mostly recycled, followed by televisions, video and audio equipment, IT and telecommunications equipment, household and electronic appliances, etc. When it comes to exports, most dangerous substances are exported from these devices because they require disposal in special plants that do not exist in Serbia.

Late incentives for recyclers

Suzana Obradović from the Association of Recyclers of Serbia says that the biggest problem for the recycling industry is the unpredictable business system, the treatment of EE waste is a complex business, requiring large investments in modern plants, as well as a steady increase of business standards and technological advances. Recyclers are paid with a long delay and in a smaller amount than the processed waste. “Waste pickers were paid for last year’s work in June of this year, and 69 percent of the total incentive funds made for 2019 were paid. This means that of the 35,000 tons of waste processed in EE , more than 10 million kilograms of EE waste remained unpaid. A significant change occurred at the end of last year, when the outstanding debts for processed waste from 2018 were paid, however, the debts from 2016, 2017 and 2019 they still remain, ”he says.

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The text is part of the project “Elimination of electronic waste”, which is co-financed by the budget of the Republic of Serbia – Ministry of Culture and Information. The opinions expressed in the text do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the body that approved the funds.

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