Then, as now, on the streets, we can see garbage scattered everywhere. Then, as now, the citizens complain about the waste situation, and the municipalities demand money from the Government. This is the position of Jadranka Ivanova, an expert on the approximation of our legislation in the field of environment. Ivanova is currently in Tirana, and we are leading the conversation in anticipation of the obligations we have from the accession negotiations with the European Union. Ivanova is a supporter of the construction of regional landfills as the citizens refused to do in the country.
Ivanova: Waste management is one of the ten areas covered in Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change. Our legislation in this area is almost completely in line with that of the EU. However, what we have to change is the application of the same, both by legal entities and citizens. Unfortunately, today’s waste management in Macedonia, with small exceptions, satisfies only one requirement, and that is that the waste is collected at least by the communal services of the municipalities, which have the primary obligation to deal with household waste, ie municipal waste. Looking at this situation, I think that in waste management we should start from the beginning, ie first learn that waste must be left in places designated for that. The fact that there are not enough waste bins should not be a reason to throw the waste where it is convenient. Waste care must be included in our habits and thinking. The citizens should fulfill their obligation, but the government, especially the local one, should actively work on raising public awareness and not seek release from responsibility for the current situation with the waste in the behavior of citizens. The second change is in the quality of service provided by the utility companies to the municipalities, which must create conditions for waste disposal and selection. Existing laws provide ample opportunities for municipalities to provide free containers for separate waste collection. The most complex part is the establishment of a regionally integrated waste management system with the necessary infrastructure, including a waste disposal center or landfill. In the end, the change should happen to every legal entity that generates waste. In the process of managing a company, measures should be introduced to reduce the generation of waste, it’s processing and utilization of all useful components of waste. The change will not happen if it is not supported by a clear strategy and commitment of the Government and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP), with financial support from the municipalities, but also a demand for responsibility from the municipalities and all entities dealing with waste. . it’s processing and utilization of all useful components of the waste. The change will not happen if it is not supported by a clear strategy and commitment of the Government and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP), with financial support from the municipalities, but also a demand for responsibility from the municipalities and all entities dealing with waste. . it’s processing and utilization of all useful components of the waste. The change will not happen if it is not supported by a clear strategy and commitment of the Government and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP), with financial support from the municipalities, but at the same time demand for responsibility from the municipalities and all entities dealing with waste.
For waste management, which part will be the most challenging to improve?
Ivanova: After independence, the Republic of Macedonia, at that time, in 1998 established a good legal framework for waste management (Law on Waste and Law on Maintenance of Public Cleanliness, Collection and Transportation of Municipal Solid and Technological Waste). In 2004, the Law on Waste Management was adopted, which was fully harmonized with the EU directives. But if we make a comparison, we will see that very little has changed in practice regarding waste management. Then, as now, we have only one landfill (Drisla) that meets certain standards. Then, as now, on the streets, we can see garbage scattered everywhere. Then, as now, the citizens complain about the waste situation, and the municipalities demand money from the Government. I am not saying that there are no positive changes and exceptions, but in general very little has changed. Hence, Implementing legislation in this area will be a real challenge for many stakeholders. I especially emphasize the need to improve the behavior of citizens. We can not expect a change in society if we do not change ourselves. At the same time, I think changing policies and exercising local government is also a big challenge. Responsibility for waste management must be borne by politicians. The fact that making a decision may be unpopular at the moment should not be a reason not to make it, because the way waste is now managed is harmful, both to the environment and to the health of citizens. We witnessed local authorities supporting decisions not to build a landfill that meets all environmental standards, which is actually more of a waste treatment center, but there was no problem in the area of their municipality to have more landfills and waste collected by municipal services to be disposed of in an illegal landfill. The principle of proximity requires waste to be deposited closest to its place of origin and any other option is unattainable or too expensive.
Who will bear the costs of these environmental changes for waste?
Ivanova: Macedonia has been using EU IPA funds since 2007, and previously PHARE and CARDS, which enable the construction of infrastructure to meet environmental standards, which due to weak economic power, citizens can not pay themselves. The EU, as well as other bilateral donors, provide financial support for the construction of the necessary waste management infrastructure to ensure the protection of the environment and human health, which is the most expensive part of establishing a waste management system. From the experiences of the recent EU enlargements, while the countries still had candidate status, much of the necessary infrastructure for environmental protection was built with EU financial assistance, which almost tripled with EU membership. Once established, then it should be managed and maintained with funds from the collection service for waste management from the citizens. Simply put, the EU and other donors give you money to buy a vehicle, but you have to pay for its maintenance and operation. It is therefore very important that the available financial assistance from the EU and other donors, as well as domestic funds, be well and purposefully planned and used, taking into account the priorities of the country and the negotiation process with the EU.
Will this environmental work lead to increased taxes for citizens?
Ivanova: This question can not be answered correctly if we look only at the monetary aspect, ie how much the citizen actually pays as a cost for the service he receives for waste management. Proper waste management has many more indirect benefits that are not all realistically visible. For example, if you have a house that is next to a garbage dump, by cleaning it, the house immediately gets a higher price. At the same time, if you grow vegetables in a region where there are many landfills and illegal landfills, you will hardly get the same price as vegetables are grown in a region where there is good waste management or it is environmentally friendly. How much the citizens will pay for the waste mostly depends on how much the service provider in the municipality, ie. the public utility company manages to select and use the waste, which costs are included in the price of the service, how far is the transfer station or landfill where the waste is disposed of, as well as how many employees there are in the company. All these aspects have an impact on determining the final price paid by the citizen for the waste management service. During the preparation of regional waste management plans, it was determined that at the moment the citizens pay less than 1 percent of the average household income only for the waste collection service. Namely, the waste is currently only collected and transported to a landfill, where very small protection measures are taken after landfilling. With the establishment of a regional modern waste management system, the price would be no more than 1.5 percent of the average household income, which is also an average cost at the European level. Local government, and when it is really needed, just because it is not popular, is not ready to increase the cost of the service and improve waste management. But on the other hand, we have cases where, although there is a possibility to reduce the price, the same is not done due to over employment in public enterprises. In such conditions, I would recommend that it is best for the price of the waste treatment service to be determined by an independent regulator, ie the Energy Regulatory Commission, which a year ago was given the obligation to regulate prices for water-related services. In this way, greater protection of the citizens would be achieved, where the price of the waste treatment service would include only the real costs that contribute to the realization of the service. But on the other hand, we have cases where, although there is a possibility to reduce the price, the same is not done due to over employment in public enterprises. In such conditions, I would recommend that it is best for the price of the waste treatment service to be determined by an independent regulator, ie the Energy Regulatory Commission, which a year ago was given the obligation to regulate prices for water-related services. In this way, greater protection of the citizens would be achieved, where the price of the waste treatment service would include only the real costs that contribute to the realization of the service. But on the other hand, we have cases where, although there is a possibility to reduce the price, the same is not done due to over employment in public enterprises. In such conditions, I would recommend that it is best that the price of the waste treatment service is determined by an independent regulator, ie the Energy Regulatory Commission, which a year ago was given the obligation to regulate prices for water-related services. In this way, greater protection of the citizens would be achieved, where the price of the waste treatment service would include only the real costs that contribute to the realization of the service. I would recommend that it is best that the price of the waste treatment service is determined by an independent regulator, ie the Energy Regulatory Commission, which a year ago was given the obligation to regulate prices for water-related services. In this way, greater protection of the citizens would be achieved, where the price of the waste treatment service would include only the real costs that contribute to the realization of the service. I would recommend that it is best that the price of the waste treatment service is determined by an independent regulator, ie the Energy Regulatory Commission, which a year ago was given the obligation to regulate prices for water-related services. In this way, greater protection of the citizens would be achieved, where the price of the waste treatment service would include only the real costs that contribute to the realization of the service.
Is there an assessment of the degree of damage to the health of the population from inadequate waste management?
Ivanova: There are many studies conducted by the EU and EU member states, which indicate that illegal waste management really has a negative impact on the environment and human health. If we do not have a selective waste collection, it means that hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be found in the same place. Improper disposal of waste leads to pollution of the soil and water which we then use for irrigation and cultivation of agricultural products. Eventually, we consume them, and we bring in all the dangerous and harmful substances in the waste. This is a simple display of the chain of how the pollution from the waste is transmitted, which should cause alarm to the competent authorities to immediately start taking measures for waste management in accordance with the legally established requirements.
What needs to be done and what will we change urgently regarding waste in the country?
Ivanova: The simplest answer is to start implementing environmental laws, especially the Law on Waste Management (WWM). The primary responsibility for waste management lies with the municipalities. ZUO envisages cooperation of the municipalities in one region in order to establish a system of regional waste management that is environmentally justified and which the citizens can afford, ie can pay. What do we have at the moment? The MoEP with the help of the EU prepared regional plans and technical documentation for 6 regions in the Republic of Northern Macedonia. The local government is obliged to implement these plans and take full responsibility. The example of the municipalities from the East and Northeast regions that managed to reach an agreement and are now in the phase of receiving about 40 million euros of financial assistance from the EU for the establishment of a modern regional waste management system should be followed. It is always easier to find problems in the offered solutions given in the prepared documents. Most often the given remarks are not based at all on expert opinion or analysis. We can no longer be satisfied with how we treat waste at the moment. We must make decisions based on expert opinion. Therefore, I believe that the MoEPP should show leadership and demand accountability from the municipalities for how they deal with waste and take urgent measures to establish regional waste management systems. We can no longer be satisfied with how we treat waste at the moment. We must make decisions based on expert opinion. Therefore, I believe that the MoEPP should show leadership and demand accountability from the municipalities for how they deal with waste and take urgent measures to establish regional waste management systems. We can no longer be satisfied with how we treat waste at the moment. We have to make decisions that are based on expert opinion. Therefore, I believe that the MoEPP should show leadership and demand accountability from the municipalities for how they deal with waste and take urgent measures to establish regional waste management systems.
What is your opinion on alternative fuels or energy from waste? Do you believe that this could be used with us?
Ivanova: As a country, in accordance with our and EU legislation, we need to provide conditions that will allow waste to be used to the maximum. I regret that a decision was made to ban the import of waste, which can be used as an alternative fuel or energy without consequences for the environment and human health. The circular economy, which is now a trend and an obligation in the EU, requires a smooth movement of waste for its processing and utilization that contributes to the protection of natural resources. We have good regulations on how waste can be processed and used and it should be respected. I guess the citizens are afraid that we do not have a good enough administration that can monitor and control the use of waste or its treatment. But I think that should not be the basis for making a decision. If the citizens have distrust in the administration regarding the implementation of the laws, then it should be a sign for the Government, and for the MoEPP, to urgently take measures to strengthen the capacity of the administration in this area, not only to increase it as a number but, much more, in increasing expert knowledge and ability. Personally, in 2000 in Osaka, Japan, I witnessed a municipal waste incineration plant located in an urban neighborhood 100 meters from the first apartment buildings. The only remark of the residents was the noise from the trucks that were delivering waste and asked for it to start no earlier than 6.30 in the morning and to be done until 11 in the evening. From this installation, thermal energy was provided for the whole settlement and beyond, and its inhabitants,
I believe that we should use the smallest opportunity for waste utilization, to involve the private sector wherever possible, and in parallel, we must build the capacity of the administration that should control the whole process. After all, we are not rich enough to just throw out the trash.
What would be your recommendation for the most effective solution to the waste problem?
Ivanova: Establishment of regional waste management, in accordance with the law and the developed regional plans and technical documents. Regional management does not only mean the establishment of a waste disposal center. I do not intentionally use the term landfill, because according to the documentation, in these centers first the waste will be selected, then the part that can be processed, and only a small part of the waste would be deposited. Regional waste management should also have the other necessary infrastructure, such as transfer stations, a sufficient number of bins and containers for selective disposal and waste collection, and vehicles for waste transportation. At the same time, it is necessary to have good records of the quantities of waste that are collected, processed, and disposed of. Our legislation prohibits the disposal of organic waste. At the same time, the EU negotiations should provide a system that will enable the achievement of the goals for waste collection, recycling, and processing. All this leads to the need to increase the care and responsibility for waste management of all stakeholders.
What about industrial waste? Do you believe that Macedonia will have in mind the capacities for the treatment of industrial waste?
Ivanova: For now, industrial waste is usually disposed of in landfills within the installations (industrial facilities) that generate it, or it is taken over by the utility companies and mixed with the municipal waste. The industrial waste can be hazardous and non-hazardous, requiring different management for each component. Some of the places where industrial waste is disposed of are ecological hotspots, so the state, together with the owners of the installations, should find a way to solve this problem. Experience in some countries shows that the involvement of the private sector is a good solution for dealing with industrial waste. We had separate initiatives for this but I could not say how they developed. The MoEPP should have a strategy in relation to this issue, ie to give a clear direction on how it plans to deal with this waste, whether it will give priority to public management or encourage private investment. In any case, any solution must comply with the required standards for the protection of the environment and human health.
In your opinion, how will Macedonia deal with the problem with the regional landfills that the local population does not accept in their vicinity?
Ivanova: The refusal of the local population to establish landfills near them is not something new or unexpected. Citizens in EU countries may have had the same reaction, perhaps more than 20 or 30 years ago. We have an advantage because we can see in reality how a landfill is managed and thus make better decisions. The fear of the citizens, I believe, is more a result of not having enough information about what a landfill established in accordance with modern standards means. However, what I can not accept is the irresponsible behavior of some local authorities or politicians who can not see the reality or take responsibility for making decisions that will mean long-term improvement of the state of the environment, but also providing an opportunity for new jobs for the local population. I am most surprised and amazed that the referendum decisions that rejected the establishment of a regional landfill in a certain area were celebrated. All citizens have the right to vote in a referendum, which ultimately means that all citizens of Macedonia can vote in a referendum that we will not allow the establishment of a landfill in our municipality. In that case, we can conclude that the only option is to export the waste. But such a solution is almost impossible and at the same time controversial, because ours, as well as the EU legislation, allows export/import only of waste that can be recycled. If it is possible then it will cost the citizens very much. At the same time, we have introduced a ban on the import of waste, which gives other countries the right to establish reciprocity and ban imports from our country. That is why I think that supporting such decisions is wrong, no matter who does it. At the moment, but also in the future, the only option is regional waste management. It is the most environmentally safe, but also the cheapest for the citizens. In the process of negotiating with the EU, we will have to make a decision on this. The sooner we make a decision, the better because non-implementation of waste management legislation could delay Northern Macedonia’s EU membership.
Aleksandra Tomic
Original article published on:
https://faktor.mk/ivanova-zalam-shto-se-zabrani-uvoz-na-otpad-mozeme-da-go-koristime-kako-gorivo
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