Environmental Protection through IT and other electrical/electronic equipment recycling- Citizens environmental sensitisation

Objectives and target audience

The objectives are as follows:-

• Saving energy, reduction of energy use;

• Saving resources, reduction of resources use;

• Environmental protection related to water and soil.  The electronic/electrical waste has the potential to pollute aquatic and terrestrial  systems;

• Reduction of waste that are deposited in landfills;

• Improvement of citizens quality of life through the environmental protection;

• Application of Legislation related to environmental indicators (Directive of European Union);

• Contribution and promotion of human civilization;

• Citizens activation and sensitization (Development of active citizens-formation of active behaviors).

The target group are all the citizens-consumers of Amaroussion’s Municipality, especially children, students and companies.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The Municipality of Amaroussion finances this specific project in cooperation with the Collective Alternative Management System, which is a procurer appointed by the Ministry of Environment.  The Municipality of Amaroussion and the collective alternative management system who are officially approved by the Ministry of Environment are involved in shaping and delivering the project.

Process

• Agreement and the signing of the relative compact between Amaroussion’s Municipality and the collective alternative management system officially approved by the Ministry of Environment.

• Definition of the central collection point, web announcement.

• Recycle bin placing in specific and protected points (Public buildings, schools, etc).

• Informative event in order for the Municipality’s officers to be familiarized with the system.

• Dissemination of the project’s existence in the entire municipality through leaflets, spots, etc.

• Continuous supervising of the project, and data recording.

• Problems report and registration (through municipality’s call centre- citizen’s phone line), corrective acts.

• Archive maintenance including the collected quantities of the waste equipment.

• Continuous recycle bin supply, if necessary.

• Municipality’s participation of educational programs concerning recycling which is taken place within schools.

Results

Since 2005, the project has been in a very successful.  Every year the project as a whole is improving, but there is still issues that need to sorted out.  The waste quantities collected during the years of 2006 and 2007 are 5200 kg and 20110 kg of waste equipment respectively.  This is equates to 0,28 kg/citizen.  The target which we are aiming towards is 4 kg /citizen (according to the National Target).  The results show that much improvement is needed in for our strategy to relate to the collection.  One major factor that could help improve this by to increase public awareness.  Another factor that has to be considered is the collaboration with other adjacent municipalities.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The key issues for success are:-

• The coordination between the municipality’s services with regards to the collection and the transportation of the waste equipment.   These tasks must be completed with extreme care as a severe leakage could cause horrific problems including problems regarding human health.

• One major key issue for success is to the approach the public well and using the correct forms of raising public awareness and sensitization.  It appears that public participation increases when people become more aware of waste and recycling.  Children and students as target group appear to be more motivated after a briefing event.

The ways in which this can be transferred to another municipality/organisation are by:

• The knowledge transfer;

• The discussion- dialogue about problems, implementation ways that had to be improved;

• The field study.

Alternative Management of the Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment includes the collection, transport, temporary storage, re-use and treatment (recycling and recovery of energy) of WEEE or/and their components and their subassemblies (including their consumables), so that after their re-use or treatment, they are streamed back into the market.

Objectives and target audience

Project’s objectives:
APPLIANCES RECYCLING SA aim’s at the achievement of the National Targets, as these are set by the European Union and the Greek Government, as well as the effective control of the cost of the Alternative Management of WEE.
The quantitative target for the collection and treatment of WEEE is separate collection of at least 4 kg of WEEE of domestic origin on average, per resident per year.  The percentage of re-use and recycling varies from 50% up to 80% -minimum, the average weight per appliance (depending on the category of equipment).
The objectives of separate collection and treatment will be re-determined by the 31st of December 2008.

Target audience: All producers of Electric and Electronic equipment, all private households and all other users.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The financing of the Alternative Management of the WEEE is accomplished by the contribution fee of recycling that surcharges all new electrical and electronic products that are distributed in the Greek market.  Indebted for the payment of the contribution fee of recycling are the producers of WEEE.
Affiliation with Appliances Recycling S.A. is free of charge.
Producers of Electric and Electronic equipment sign the Entry Agreement, regularly declare the quantities of products marketed in Greece and pay the legally required financial contribution to “Appliances Recycling S.A.” (based upon the declared quantities).
The contribution fee is included in the final price of the product.

Process

The process of Alternative Management of the WEEE includes the following tasks:-

• Collection, Transport and Temporary Storage of WEEE;

• Transport of the WEEE at the Treatment Units;

• Treatment of the WEEE;

• Sensitisation of the Public;

• Administration of the System.

Results

The system covers approximately 67% of the population, and by the end of 2008 it is expected to cover 90 % of the population (estimate).
When supplying a new product, distributors are responsible for ensuring that such waste can be returned to the distributor free of charge on a one-to-one basis, as long as the equipment is of equivalent type and has fulfilled the same functions as the supplied equipment.
The qualified authority, the National Organisation for the Management of Packaging and Other Products, every three (3) years from the issuing date of an Alternative Management System’s of  WEEE approval, is running an audit so that it is ascertained that the methods of alternative management are applied and the objectives are met.
In the event of a positive result of the above audit a Certificate of Alternative Management is published in the name of system.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

A producer has to sign a contract with APPLIANCES RECYCLING SA and each month submit the periodical statement with the quantities of EEE (per product category) that produces, imports or resells.
The distributors are bound to distribute in the market, only EEE items that are affiliated with an approved system of management, as well as to get supplied only from producers that are registered with the producers register (which is required and provided for by the law).
APPLIANCES RECYCLING SA has the permit and is compelled to cover the entire Greek territory.
The benefits of producers that join APPLIANCES RECYCLING SA? Are:-

• Exemption from the obligations that are imposed by the Greek legislation regarding the Alternative Management of WEEE that concerns their activity;

• The right to mark their products with the Special Symbol as a proof of registration with the Collective System for the Alternative Management of the WEEE.