Waste Prevention and Management in Greece Current status and policy developments Mr. Theofanis Lolos, Mr. Christos Tsompanidis, Mr. Panagiotis Fragkakis ENVIROPLAN S.A.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) quantity and composition Resident population (Census 2011): 10.816.286 Equivalent population (2012): 10.985.000 Total MSW amount (2012): 5.375.700 t/y Kg/eq.inh./day (2012): 1,34 (Source: National Waste Management Plan 2014-2020)
Current MSW management practices (1) Municipal waste treated in 2012 by country and treatment category, sorted by landfilling (%), 2012 (Source: Eurostat)
Current MSW management practices (2) Major disposal and recovery installations Sanitary Landfill Sites: 75 MRFs: 29 MBT Installations: 4 (467,500 t/y) Mechanical Treatment unit and Composting unit in Attica (Athens) (300,000 t/y) Mechanical Treatment unit and Composting unit in Chania Crete (67,000 t/y) Pre-treatment Unit (Biodrying) in Herakleion Crete (75,000 t/y) Mechanical Treatment unit and Biological Pretreatment Unit of MSW and Sewage Sludge in Kefalonia Island Ionian Islands (25,000 t/y) (*) And management methods not otherwise specified (Source: National Waste Management Plan 2014-2020) Uncontrolled dumpsites (02/2014, MEECC): Active: 69 - their operation is gradually ceased and the necessary licenses have been issued (apart from 4) To be rehabilitated: 202 Timetable for rehabilitation of all uncontrolled dumpsites: End of 2015
13 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Integrated Waste Management Projects 13 th International Symposium on Waste Management Zagreb 2014 Under implementation Tendering process 4 Several PPP and non-ppp ISWM Projects are programmed to be tendered and implemented in the near future with cofinancing from EU (Ministry of Development and Competitiveness Special PPP (Source: Secretariat) National Waste Management Plan 2014-2020)
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Systems The Hellenic Recycling Organization, a non-profit private law body under the supervision and control of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, is responsible for the design and implementation of the recycling policy in Greece. The organization is responsible for approving Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems for each product and for monitoring progress of Greece in the field of recycling. There are 22 approved EPR systems, covering the following waste streams: Packaging waste Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Batteries and Accumulators Waste oils and lubricants End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) Used vehicle tires Construction, Demolition and Excavation Waste (CDEW)
Policy Developments (1) Law 4042/2012 In order to transpose the requirements of the EU waste legislation into national legislation, the Law 4042/2012 on the protection of the environment through Criminal Law Compliance with Directive 2008/99/EC Framework for waste generation and management Compliance with Directive 2008/98/EC Setting matters of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change was adopted. Section II of the Law harmonizes the provisions of the WFD with national legislation, aiming at laying down measures to protect the environment and human health by preventing or reducing the adverse impacts of the generation and management of waste and by reducing overall impacts of resource use and improving the efficiency of such use. Articles 22 and 23 of the Framework Law 4042/2012 correspond to Articles 28 and 29 of the WFD respectively. They set requirements regarding waste management plans and waste prevention programmes.
Policy Developments (2) Target for separate collection of biowaste Framework Law 4042/2012 sets specific targets on biowaste collection, even though such targets were not explicitly set in Ar. 22 of the WFD. The Law defines that until 2015, the percentage of biowaste separate collection must increase at least up to 5% of biowaste total weight and until 2020 up to 10% of biowaste total weight (Article 41). 5% 2015 10% 2020 Special landfill tax for certain categories of untreated waste According to Law 4042/2012, from 1st January 2014, organizations or enterprises disposing of certain untreated waste (including biodegradable municipal waste) into landfills have to pay a tax. For 2014, the tax is set at 35 /t of disposed waste and will increase annually by 5 /t until the amount of 60 /t (article 43) The tax is submitted to the Green Fund for funding of recovery and disposal programmes and projects.
National and Regional Plans 13 th International Symposium on Waste Management Zagreb 2014 Policy Developments (3) The development of the updated National Waste Management Plan and the National Waste Prevention Plan (2014-2020) is in its final stage. A public consultation had been launched for both plans. The approved deliverables of both Plans are taken into consideration during the revision of the Regional Waste Management Plans. Calculation methods for verifying compliance with targets Commission Decision 2011/753/EU establishing rules and calculation methods for verifying compliance with the targets set in Article 11(2) of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council proposes four methods for calculating targets. Member States are free to choose one of those methods and apply the targets to one of the following: a)the preparation for reuse and the recycling of paper, metal, plastic and glass household waste; b)the preparation for reuse and the recycling of paper, metal, plastic, glass household waste and other single types of household waste or of similar waste from other origins c)the preparation for reuse and the recycling of household waste; d)the preparation for reuse and the recycling of municipal waste.
Policy Developments (4) Chosen calculation method for verifying compliance with targets According to the updated National Waste Management Plan, Greece will follow Calculation Method 2 (preparation for reuse and the recycling of paper, metal, plastic, glass household waste and other single types of household waste or of similar waste from other origin): Recycling rate of household and similar waste in % = Recycled amount of paper, metal, plastic, glass waste and other single waste streams from households or similar waste stream Total generated amount of paper, metal, plastic, glass waste and other single waste streams from households or similar waste
Definition of waste prevention (1) Decoupling economic growth from waste generation is a central objective of the revised Waste Framework. Under present conditions the Community objectives recognize that only the stabilization of waste generation is no longer enough, but it is necessary to reverse the situation and reduce waste generation in the EU Member States. Waste prevention is defined in Article 3 (12) (2008/98/EC) as: "prevention" means measures taken before a substance, material or product has become waste, that reduce: the quantity of waste, including through the re-use of products or the extension of the life span of products; the adverse impacts of the generated waste on the environment and human health; or the content of harmful substances in materials and products;
Definition of waste prevention (2) Source: EC, DG Environment (2012). Preparing a Waste Prevention Programme Guidance document.
National Waste Prevention Plan Project Phases Phase 0: Methodology for Project Implementation Phase 1: Analysis of Current Situation Phase 2: Setting of Priorities and Targets Phase 3: Elaboration of Strategy and Monitoring and Control Tools Phase 4: Drafting of Legal Document Παραδοτέο Deliverable 0: 1: Methodology Μεθοδ/γία for Εκπόνησης the Preparation του of Έργου Project Deliverable 2: Analysis of Current Situation Deliverable 3: Setting of Priorities and Targets Deliverable 4: Elaboration of Strategy Part Α (Measures) Consultation Deliverable 6: Draft Legal Document Part Β (Actions) Deliverable 5: Implementation and Monitoring of Strategy
Current Waste Prevention Actions in Greece (1) Actions Financed via Environmental EU programmes (e.g. LIFE): Development and Demonstration of a Waste Prevention Tool for Local Authorities WASP Tool (LIFE10 ENV_GR_000622) Development of Pay As You Throw Systems in Hellas, Estonia and Cyprus Project (LIFE 07/ENV/GR/000271 HEC-PAYT), Actions for Waste Prevention and Sustainable Consumption implemented by Private Enterprises Actions of NGO s, corporations and voluntary organizations Exchange of goods and reuse (i.e. internet Platforms for exchanging goods) Green Public Procurement Established but not active yet Voluntary Agreements Ecolabeling
Current Waste Prevention Actions in Greece (2) Most of the actions have been recently launched and have limited local application They do not consist part of any ongoing policy Often there are no recorded results of these actions Many of them were quiet popular to the public interest, while others are not particularly successful Some could be characterized as innovative Others are related to donations and charities The most successful actions could be considered those related to Public Awareness Most of the actions focus on: Households Public sector Commercial activities, e.g. Restaurants and retail trade Tourism Industry (mainly bottling and cement) Construction activities
National Waste Prevention Plan - Target Selection Process Existing Literature WPP of other Countries Current State in Greece Investigation and Recommendations for specific waste streams and materials Correlation with other policies (e.g. sustainable consumption, resource efficiency, etc.) Targets are set per waste / material flow. Not all programs propose quantitative targets, for flexibility reasons or due to lack of available data Difficulty in recording and assessing on several occasions. Without adequate data / indicators, targets are non functional Current Waste Management Situation Main productive sectors Guidance from Competent Authorities Selection of Priorities and Targets Existing prevention policies Available quantitative data Guidance from Authorities
Target Selection Justification Targets in other EU countries
Target Selection Justification (1) Non-quantified targets have been selected: Ambitious targets are set in certain WPP with extensive experience in the prevention, e.g. Belgium. Recently published WPP from countries with significant experience in waste prevention has not set specific quantified targets. Typical example is the WPP of Germany, pursuant to which the non adoption of quantitative targets provides great flexibility in the choice of waste prevention measures Preventing waste in sectors/ waste producers identified in the investigation of the current situation, i.e. tourism, industry, commerce, households, will be promoted by proposing appropriate measures / actions, rather than establishing specific targets per waste producer.
Target Selection Justification (2) No targets are set for agricultural waste: The only European country that so far has included agricultural waste in WPP [Ireland- Smarter (Resource efficient) farming] is not related to waste prevention measures, but mostly to procedures to minimize / processing waste through composting / anaerobic digestion and recycling of waste bulk packaging. No targets are set for industrial waste: The trends of industrial production can be affected by various factors, such as economic conditions and increase of imports. The lack of recording (partially or in total) in specific waste flows leads to use of estimates to determine the waste quantity. Improper provision of data from companies that are obliged to submit annual waste report leads to erroneous results.
Target Selection Justification (3) No targets are set for C & D waste: C & D waste generation is directly related to the economic conditions and economic growth. No detailed data are available for the total C & D waste generation, just estimations. The effect of various waste prevention measures in this sector is characterized by uncertainty and is difficult to be quantified. Because C & D waste (i.e. demolition waste) is derived from infrastructure built several years ago, generated C & D waste as waste prevention indicator has reduced relevance to waste prevention actions. The promotion of sustainable building as a waste prevention measure can not be connected to monitoring indicators.
Target Selection Justification (4) No targets are set for hazardous waste: The generated quantities are small at country level. Regarding the Small Quantities of Hazardous Substances in MSW, if a more efficient separation from the main MSW stream is achieved, the recorded amounts will be increased. Thus, it is difficult to set and achieve a quantitative target for hazardous waste reduction. Municipal Solid Waste is not set as a whole as a priority area, but only the waste streams Food Waste, Paper and Packaging material/waste. Large numbers of existing waste prevention measures in Greece and abroad mainly focus on these materials. The selected waste streams constitute a significant percentage in the composition of MSW. According to the literature, these priority streams have high potential for waste minimisation after the implementation of appropriate waste prevention measures.
National Waste Prevention Plan Priority areas and targets Food Waste: Promoting food waste reduction Mainly in households, but can be extended to foodservice, retail, food industry, health units, hotels and schools. Paper: Promoting reduction in paper consumption Mainly in households, schools, businesses, public services and tourist facilities Packaging Material / Waste: Promoting packaging waste reduction Mainly in households, schools, businesses and tourist facilities WEEE: Promoting Reuse of EEE Mainly in households, but can be extended to schools and public services.
National Waste Prevention Plan Proposed Measures (1) Examples of measures in Annex IV of WFD 2008/98/EC (Transposed into Law 4042/2012) Proposed measures in the NWPP A. Measures that can affect the framework conditions related to waste generation 1.Planning measures, or other economic instruments promoting the efficient use of resources 2. Promotion of research and development into the area of achieving cleaner and less wasteful products and technologies - dissemination and use of the results 3. Development of effective and meaningful indicators of the environmental pressures associated with the waste generation Development of Waste Prevention Programmes by Local Authorities Development of Sectoral Prevention Programmes (e.g. retail, catering/food services, tourism.) Promotion of environmental research/new technologies/access to environmental information regarding waste prevention (e.g. Life, Horizon2020 etc) -
National Waste Prevention Plan Proposed Measures (2) Examples of measures in Annex IV of WFD 2008/98/EC (Transposed into Law 4042/2012) Proposed measures in the NWPP B. Measures that can affect the design and production and distribution phase 4. Promotion of eco-design Diffusion of information on eco-design and prevention of waste resources. Further improvement of products and provide initiatives for eco-design in procurement. 5. Provision of information on waste prevention techniques to facilitate the implementation of BATs 6. Training of competent authorities as regards the insertion of waste prevention requirements in permits under 96/61/EC 7. Inclusion of measures at installations not falling under 96/61/EC 8. Awareness campaigns or the provision of financial, decision making or other support to businesses. 9. Voluntary agreements with consumers, producers, businesses, industries Provision of information to enterprises by public bodies about the potential of waste prevention Training of competent authorities in order to take into consideration waste prevention in permits. Promotion of uniform waste prevention implementation at installations not falling under IPPC Directive. Development, continuation and completion of current projects on public awareness. Further promotion of voluntary agreements on waste prevention 10. Promotion of environmental management systems Promotion of creditable environmental management systems in organisations from public and private sectors and expansion of current systems by inserting waste prevention concepts.
National Waste Prevention Plan Proposed Measures (3) Examples of measures in Annex IV of WFD 2008/98/EC (Transposed into Law 4042/2012) C. Measures that can affect the consumption and use phase 11. Economic instruments (e.g. Incentives, obligatory payment) 12. Awareness campaigns and information provision for public or consumers Proposed measures in the NWPP Economic instruments for prevention of single-use plastic bags Introduction of Pay-as you throw systems. Promotion of waste prevention during buying of products and public awareness campaigns. Promotion and implementation of waste prevention measures in schools, universities, etc. 13. Promotion of creditable eco-labels Further promotion of eco-label ΕU-Ecolabel 14. Agreements with industry, e.g. product panels in the framework of Integrated Product Policies 15. Integration of environmental and waste prevention criteria into calls for tenders and contract Promotion of agreements between industry and commerce Further promotion of integration of environmental and waste prevention criteria into call for tenders and contracts 16. Promotion of reuse and/or repair Promotion of reuse and/or repair Promotion of reuse and repair centers Recording of prevention actions, promotion of surplus food donations, promotion of industrial symbiosis, promotion of electronic transactions
National Waste Prevention Plan Proposed Measures (4) Horizontal measures, as well measures for each priority area were proposed in order to achieve the selected targets. Additionally, measures were proposed for other areas, such as; MSW; Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) and Industrial Waste
National Waste Prevention Plan Note on home composting According to the approved deliverables of the Greek National Waste Management Plan Revision, home composting is not considered a waste prevention measure. Rather, it is considered a measure for the recycling of biowaste. Reviewing the European experience and practice, it seems that: 1. Southern Countries or in general countries which needs soil enrichment tend to consider it as prevention measure (e.g Ireland, Belgium (Flanders), Spain (Catalonia), Portugal, Italy, France). 2. Northern Countries or in general countries with tradition in energy recovery of biodegradable waste, tend either not to include in their WPP or clearly not to consider it as a prevention measure (England, Scotland, Austria (Vienna), Germany). 3. Many projects that have been approved and financed by EU (e.g. LIFE) have approved the consideration that Home Composting is waste prevention (e.g. Wasp Tool, RECYCLING SYMPRAXIS, etc.)
National Waste Prevention Plan Proposed Actions (1) Informational Categories of actions: Promotional Regulatory Horizontal actions per measure, as well actions per measure for each priority area, target group and realisation period (short/mid/long-term), were proposed in order to achieve the selected targets. Additionally, actions were proposed for other areas, such as; MSW; Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) and Industrial Waste Informational strategies are expected to contribute greatly to the achievement of the Plan s targets, as they are aimed to change behaviour and make informed decisions. The development of a waste prevention communication plan is a matter of great importance and gravity, as it will be the basis upon which all informative actions will be built and developed at national, as well as at local level. Therefore, an integrated communication framework was proposed.
National Waste Prevention Plan Proposed Actions (2) Indicative Horizontal Communication and Publicity Actions Logo and Corporate Identity of the National WPP and / or the Prevention as a term Website of the National WPP Press Office Polls and researches (carried out in 3 phases) at a national level Awareness events, Education, Information (National Waste Prevention Week, Conferences / Seminars / Participation in other events). The application is at central level in terms of coordination and at regional / local level in implementation Workshops Mass Media Involvement and Utilisation Publications & Productions: Informational & Promotional Material (leaflets, good practice guides, etc.) Establishing synergies with other actors Call Centre / Centre for Public Information
National Waste Prevention Plan Proposed Actions (3) The most feasible actions in the short term are the horizontal public awareness actions, the promotion of reuse by relevant NGOs and by the social structures in the Municipalities, the promotion of the voluntary agreements and the elaboration of sectoral waste prevention plans. Meanwhile, Green Public Procurement and promotion of electronic transactions (e-invoicing and e-billing), both in public and in private sector, will contribute significantly to waste prevention The waste prevention actions were ranked, a risk assessment of the proposed measures and actions was performed, an indicative time -schedule was elaborated and Relevant, Accepted, Credible, Easy and Robust (RACER) output and result indicators were proposed.
Proposed indicators and monitoring (1) The development of indicators is essential in tracking progress on objectives and targets and evaluate the efficacy of waste prevention policies The indicators were focused - they were proposed per target and per waste prevention action per priority area/secondary waste streams The indicators were divided in output and result indicators. A framework for the waste prevention monitoring process was described, including monitoring tools The promoter of each action should keep records relating to the output and outcome of the action The overall implementation monitoring will be made by the MEECC in collaboration with the respective Ministries, agencies, etc. At regional level, the responsible bodies are the Regional Waste Management Operators and in case of technical difficulties, the competent Regional Authority
Proposed indicators and monitoring (2) Indicative indicators per target Food Waste: Promoting food waste reduction Food waste quantity (kg)/capita/per capita income/year Food waste quantity (kg) per enterprise/annual turnover/year Food waste quantity (t) per industry/year Food waste quantity (t) per hospital/night spent/year Packaging Material / Waste: Promoting packaging waste reduction Packaging waste quantity - kg/capita/capita income/year in households Packaging waste quantity - t/year % average weight reduction per packaging unit Other MSW: kg/capita/capita income/year C&D: t/year/per unit of GVA Industrial waste; t/year/per unit of GVA Paper: Promoting reduction in paper consumption Households: Kg/capita/year Enterprises: t/year or kg/employee/year WEEE: Promoting Reuse of EEE Number of enterprises/centers selling reused EEE Quantity of EEE reused in t/year
Proposed indicators and monitoring (3) Indicative output indicators Communicative actions: Number of sites / sub-pages / accounts in social networks created Number of events, meetings, seminars, etc. Number of guests Number of press releases sent Number of Press Conferences Number of Leaflets / Brochures / Posters produced Number of polls that have been implemented, etc. Other actions: Number of invited persons in the Working Groups Number of stickers printed Number and Category of Industries invited during the Industrial Symbiosis discussions Number of research programs approved / in progress Number of pilot reuse centers: approved/under tendering and contracting/elaboration of the necessary studies/under construction / functioning Number of in-built criteria that promote the reuse of EEE in the Action Plan to promote Green Public Procurement, etc.
Proposed indicators and monitoring (4) Indicative result indicators Communicative actions: Number of visitors to websites or social network accounts Number of published press releases or publications resulting from Press Conferences, Interviews Executives / Managers of the National Plan, etc. Number of distributed forms / Leaflets / posters Number of electronics shipments (newsletters, etc.) Readability, audience, Geographic Coverage, Periodicity resulting from the implementation of campaigns, etc. Other actions: Number of stickers distributed Served population, eg by reuse centers Number of voluntary agreements signed and number of companies/actors involved Contracts with Environmental Criteria / total number of contracts * 100 (%) Waste quantity collected from the PAYT systems (kg / year), etc.
Conclusion The Greek Waste Prevention Plan is: A coherent tool for Integrated Waste Policy A first step to organised and well structured Prevention Strategy at National level A challenging opportunity to change the development model An ambitious programme aiming gradually to zero waste society.
Thank you for your attention Theofanis Lolos fl@enviroplan.gr Tel. +30 693 234 6668