A delegation from Moldova visited Estonia during the period from 20 to 27 September 2014 to learn from its experience in solid waste management – practices that might be applied in the pilot project in Soldanesti, Floresti and Rezina districts. The study visit took place thanks to the support provided through the project of the German Development Cooperation through GIZ, “Modernization of local public services in Moldova.”
The delegation consisted of 27 persons involved in the implementation of the pilot project to improve solid waste management in Şoldăneşti, Floresti and Rezina, representatives of LPAs, service providers and Regional Development Agencies and the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction. The pilot project is funded by the German Government, managed in partnership by Center Regional Development Agency (Soldanesti and Rezina) and North RDA (Floreşti).
The study visit was organized with informational support from the embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the Republic of Estonia.
The agenda of the visit included meetings with officials involved in drafting environmental policies, representatives of specialized companies. The participants visited Tallinn city, Kohila town and the Laane-Viiru region. They learned to overcome challenges faced by Estonian LPAs in management of solid waste, hazardous waste, organic waste, budgetary obstacles, legal and social services for efficient operation.
The vice president of Şoldăneşti rayon, Svetlana Rotundu argues that the Estonia experience can be taken over successfully: “We have seen that waste is not only a problem for APL, but it can also be a source of income if managed correctly. The experience of countries that went through the process of modernization of utilities is very useful and will help us avoid similar mistakes in order to keep pace with European citizens. “
The topics addressed during the visit were: intermunicipal cooperation – regionalization of waste management services; arrangements for coordinating the Estonian system of waste management, including the division of tasks between the common tasks and those of various collection companies; methodology used to collect and treat different waste fractions, benefits and costs.
At this point, the pilot project in Şoldăneşti, Floresti and Rezina covers 77,000 residents. Gradually, it is expected to cover the needs of all the 200,000 inhabitants of the micro-region.
An Intermunicipal Center for Solid Waste Management in Parcani, Şoldăneşti, two recycling centers and two transfer stations in Cotiujenii Mari and Florest will be built. So far, over 470 platforms have been built and containers have been purchased. The maximum capacity of the landfill is 750,000 cubic meters, enough for the entire population of the micro-region. Estimated maintenance period is 25 years.
The service provider “Apa-Canal Şoldăneşti” received substantial German investment in 2013, which enabled it to become an efficient and profitable operator. The office of Î.M. “Regia – Apa Soldanesti” was rebuilt, the value of works amounting to about 940 thousand lei. At the same time, in order to optimize the operational capacity of the company, specialized machines were purchased: recycling equipment, compactors, bulldozers, tractors etc. Uniforms for the 30 employees and office equipment have also been purchased.
The company will expand its service area, after its reorganization into a joint stock company has been decided. Thus, on September 11,the meeting establishing the Joint Stock company was held. The company will be operating the solid waste management service in Soldanesti and Rezina “Salubritate Şoldăneşti”. A joint stock company will also be created in Floreşti.
The “Modernization of local public services in Moldova” project is implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ and is financially supported by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania and European Union.
