Waste management and collection initiatives in Europe

Waste management authorities in Slovenia, Romania, and Moldova have initiated or expanded specialized collection and modernization campaigns.

In Slovenia, municipalities in the Koroška region are organizing autumn collection drives for bulky waste, with several locations also hosting hazardous waste collection points. In the Slovenska Bistrica area, mobile collection points are accepting items such as pesticides, batteries, and motor oil.

In Romania, regional initiatives continue in Bistrița-Năsăud and Iași. The Bistrița-Năsăud campaign provides free collection for bulky waste, including furniture, mattresses, and large toys, for rural residents between September 21 and 25. In Iași County, efforts include the collection of bulky items, textiles, and hazardous materials such as paint packaging, adhesives, and tires. Additionally, local police in Târgu Mureș have issued 75,000 lei in fines to individuals caught abandoning bulky waste in public areas and near watercourses.

In the Republic of Moldova, the government is launching a national plan to modernize environmental infrastructure. This initiative includes providing households with three bins to facilitate the selective collection of vegetable, mixed, and recyclable waste. Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder noted that while legislation is nearly finalized, strict enforcement and fines will only follow once the necessary infrastructure, such as bins and storage spaces, is fully available. The strategy also encompasses a 500 million euro project to close illegal landfills in accordance with European Union standards.