Brașov County advances 185 million euro waste management project

The Brașov County Council is preparing a funding application for the Integrated Waste Management System (SMID), a project valued at over 185 million euros. The initiative aims to transform waste management in Brașov County, where currently nearly 90% of waste is sent to landfills. The goal of SMID is to reduce landfill dependency to approximately 10–15% by implementing sorting, mechanical-biological treatment, recovery, and composting facilities.

The project, which has been in development for nearly six years, includes key facilities at Măieruș for integrated treatment, Părău for a sorting and preparation center, and Hoghiz for a transfer station. While the project has obtained necessary environmental permits and passed reviews by JASPERS and the Ministry of Investments and European Projects, it faces legal challenges.

Zoltan Szenner, the county's public administrator, noted that several lawsuits have been filed regarding the sites in Măieruș and Părău. Additionally, the Părău Local Council, which had previously approved the zoning plans, has reportedly withdrawn its support for the association contract. The project seeks to access over 125 million euros in non-reimbursable European funds, with a deadline for the funding application set for December 31, 2026, and a target completion date by 2030.