Moldova collects 300 t of appliances; EU e‑waste tax proposal sparks debate in Romania

More than 300 tonnes of refrigerators and washing machines were collected under Moldova’s EcoVoucher programme for household appliances, a result presented during Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu’s visit to the PRO REP collection centre.

The European Commission has proposed a €2 per kg tax on uncollected electrical and electronic waste (e‑waste). Pascal Leroy, director‑general of the WEEE Forum, warned that the charge would cut investment in collection and recycling infrastructure, citing a potential three‑fold impact on Romanian producer‑responsibility organisations. The proposal is supported by a joint letter from 13 European industry groups urging its rejection.