On March 25-26, 2019 S. A. Podoynikov, Executive Director of EcoTyresUnion, and A. E. Zakharova, legal counsel, took part in the 10th International forum «Ecology».
At the forum EcoTyresUnion made presentations on the following topics:
- Podoynikov S. A.: «The development of the market for waste tires recycling by the branch Union of Manufacturers and Importers of tires in the framework of Extended Producer Responsibility»;
- Zakharova A. E.: «Waste tyres management in the system of separate waste collection: interaction models, experience and perspectives of development in the regions.»
S. A. Podoynikov spoke in detail about the activities of the EcoTyresUnion, presented the strategy of the Union and the results achieved. For example, in just 2 years of operation, EcoTyresUnion has achieved significant results, which make an important contribution to the development of the waste management industry.
In particular, at the moment there are 93 recycling companies in the base of EcoTyresUnion. Based on the results of a comprehensive audit of each of the companies that submitted an application for tender participation, 21 recycling companies were selected for 2019. The geographical diversification of the EcoTyresUnion is significant and includes 16 regions. Throughout the entire period of activity, EcoTyresUnion ensures stable 100% compliance with the recycling norms for all its members. Recycling of 90 thousand tons of waste tires was done as part of the EcoTyresUnion activity. Tire collection programs are being developed in 11 regions of Russia.
In her report, A. E. Zakharova focused on the current unsolved problems of waste tyres management organizing in the system of separate waste collection. Of particular relevance in practice are the issues of organizing the interaction of tyre recycling companies with regional operators, including documentation. The problem is that according to the current legislation of the Russian Federation, regional operators are responsible for the collection, transportation, processing, recycling etc. of solid municipal waste (hereinafter – SMW), in turn, waste tyres do not belong to SMW. However, common in practice are the cases of storage of waste tires at sites of SMW accumulation. What are the problems faced when managing waste tyres? What are the options for solving these problems? A. E. Zakharova provided answers to these and related questions in her speech.
The reports of S. A. Podoynikov and A. E. Zakharova elicited active feedback from the audience. During the discussions, topical issues of EPR were touched upon, current legislative initiatives were analyzed, the role and prospects for the development of independent implementation of EPR were identified, and experience was exchanged in organizing waste collection.
