ECOTIC writes a new page in the history of electrical and electronic waste collection in Romania, reaching the threshold of 400.000 tons of WEEE collected and recycled and thus contributing to the transition to a circular economy.
About ECOTIC
ECOTIC is the first organization for the transfer of responsibility in the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment of manufacturers who put electrical equipment on the market. ECOTIC activity includes: collection and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment in order to reach the collection targets according to the law, awareness of the population through dedicated programs, implementation and provision of electrical waste collection solutions, involvement in the development of the legislative context at national level. Since its inception, ECOTIC has actively contributed to the circular economy, by recycling electrical and electronic waste, batteries and accumulators, light bulbs and neon lights and re-introducing into the economic circuit 190.000 tons of iron, 55.000 tons of plastic, 11.000 tons of aluminum and 7.000 tons of copper. At the same time, by ensuring recycling to the highest European standards, the hazardous substances contained in electrical and electronic waste (WEEE) were disposed of under maximum safety conditions, thus preventing pollution.
E-waste handover solutions for recycling
Together with its local partners, ECOTIC has brought solutions for the correct disposal of WEEE closer to citizens in urban and rural areas through the 357 de local campaigns carried out in 2023. At the same time, ECOTIC continued the development of local collection solutions, expanding the national network of collection points over 10.000 such solutions. Thus, in addition to the campaigns, citizens have at their disposal public collection points and pick-up services from home, in certain cities, by calling the unique number 021 9641. Solutions can also be identified on www.ecotic.ro/predare-deseuri-electrice/.
Donations of refurbished equipment
ECOTIC is, at the same time, involved in the activity of reconditioning and reuse of WEEE together with Workshops without borders, organization specialized in IT equipment refurbishing. In the last ten years, 40.000 computers, together with over 3000 laptops, printers, photocopiers and mobile phones were donated to rural schools and communities in disadvantaged areas. Within the donation project "IT4Kids in rural areas", started at the initiative of the IT Informal School, in partnership with BCR, over 140 laptops and video projectors were refurbished by Workshops Without Borders (AFF) and were donated, last year, to training centers and schools in disadvantaged areas.
Programs intended for eco education and the promotion of environmental protection
In 2023, educational projects "Ecoterrian School" and "And the little ones do great things" they took the messages of environmental protection and separate collection to the masses 145.000 students and preschoolers from 625 educational institutions. At the same time, in partnership with the Bistrita-Năsăud County School Inspectorate, ECOTIC implemented the project "Recycle today, for your health tomorrow!" held in primary, secondary and high school education units in Bistrita Năsăud county, which provided students with information about the benefits of separate collection of WEEE, used batteries and lighting fixtures.
ECOTIC Caravan, vehicle for information and awareness of the importance of separate collection and recycling of electrical waste, continued its route through the country, this time visiting the localities of Ploiești, Cluj-Napoca, Craiova, Slatina, Balotești, as well as rural areas in the counties of Brașov and Buzău . The caravan made a stop and at Brașov Green Cities Forum, the largest event in Romania dedicated to the exchange of experience and best practices between cities and the promotion of innovations in the field of sustainable development. Anniversary edition of Clean Environment Awards Gala marked the achievement of the threshold of 780 projects entered in the competition by public, educational institutions, companies and NGOs, in the 15 years of implementation.
October 14 – International Day of
Electrical Waste
International E-Waste Day, marked every year on the date of 14 October, focused in 2023 on the collection and recycling of electrical waste considered invisible, more precisely, those products that are not recognized by consumers as electrical equipment and, consequently, end up not being handed in correctly for recycling, but thrown away randomly. On this occasion, ECOTIC got involved by organizing: some local Clean Cities campaigns and Recycling Station, of a visit of the producers affiliated to the GreenWEEE Buzău recycling plant, as well as by making a vlog about solutions for handing in small electronic waste.
"Steps for Urban Mining" transfer of Norwegian know-how in the operation of centers with voluntary input
ECOTIC implemented the project between May and December 2023 STEPS FOR URBAN MINING funded by EEA & Norway Grants. The objective of the project was the transfer of know-how in the management of municipal waste, including electrical and electronic equipment waste, in the context where through the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), 585 centers with voluntary input (CAV) will be built in Romania until 2026. The main actions in the project were: work visits at municipal centers in Norway of 31 representatives of entities involved in waste management at local level, as well as launching the guide with recommendations for the operation of CAVs, available online here.
Event on the topic of Circular Economy
In May 2023, representatives of electrical equipment manufacturers affiliated with ECOTIC had the opportunity to participate in a the event dedicated to the circular economy. The participants benefited from presentations that focused on the Circular Economy Strategy of Romania, the accession to the OECD and the benefits it will bring to our country, including in terms of environmental protection, the transition to the circular economy in Romania, good practices in the field , the importance of integrating the criterion of sustainability in business activity, as well as the new directives on sustainability that will target the activity of all companies.