Starting from August 10, 2024, the Vega store network is launching battery and accumulator collection. At the moment, this is the only company with a license to collect, store, and recycle hazardous waste, including batteries. Contact online >>
Starting from August 10, 2024, the Vega store network is launching battery and accumulator collection. At the moment, this is the only company with a license to collect, store, and recycle hazardous waste, including batteries.
Battery collection containers are installed in all Vega stores in Yerevan, with plans to install containers in other cities of Armenia in September.
Unfortunately, battery collection by activists without a license is subject to administrative penalties. GreenGreen was fined 550,000 drams for collecting batteries based on a report by "eco-activists", and the collected batteries were confiscated and, most likely, discarded by the authorities. Therefore, we are currently unable to organize battery collection on our own, even for transferring them to Vega.
We urge the Armenian authorities to allow activists to collect batteries and similar waste, similar to how it is organized in Russia, where short-term storage of such waste does not require a license, allowing activists to independently organize the collection and transfer of batteries for recycling.
Vega will sort and store the collected batteries in a special licensed facility. Once a sufficient amount of batteries for processing has been accumulated, equipment for recycling will be purchased or rented. The pace of accumulating recyclable materials will be the determining factor.
This FAQ is developed in the frames of 4-year Waste Policy Armenia program funded by Sweden and implemented by the American University of Armenia (AUA) Acopian Center for the Environment. It offers essential information about the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system.
Waste Policy Armenia aims at improving country''s waste management sector capacity to implement more environmentally sound waste management practices through its three components:
RA Law on EPR (3rd draft, Oct7, 2024) Interconnected legal act to RA Law on EPR (Oct7, 2024) EPR Policy Brief (Armenian, 59 pages) EPR 2-pager (Armenian)
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy that holds producers or importers of specific products responsible for the environmentally sound management of special wastes generated from the consumption of those products. This system encompasses the separate collection, recycling, or proper disposal of special wastes, along with the implementation of other measures.
Special waste refers to the waste generated through the sale, consumption, or use of EPR regulated products. It is a common practice to categorize wastes based on their specific characteristics. The list of special waste streams will be approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.
The specific groups of special wastes managed by EPR schemes usually include:
– batteries and accumulators (mandatory in EU),
– ELV (End-of-Life Vehicles, mandatory in EU),
– oils, air and oil filters,
– photovoltaic panels.
Within the framework of the EPR system, the producer is the party who first places a product subject to EPR requirements on the local market, whether it is manufactured within the borders of the Republic of Armenia or imported into its territory.
Who is not a producer in EPR schemes?
The manufacturers of containers and packaging are not classified as producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. Instead, importers or producers of products that contain containers and packaging are considered producers in EPR schemes.
For instance, a company engaged in the production of glass containers is not designated as a producer within the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system. In this case, the producer within the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system is the company engaged in the production of bottled water using glass containers and putting the final product on the market.
Companies that are considered producers in the EPR schemes should establish Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), which are obliged to organize and coordinate the environmentally sound treatment of special waste streams generated from the consumption of EPR products.
In global practice, PROs are typically established as non-commercial, non-for-profit legal entities, formed by a minimum of two EPR producers. A PRO may assume responsibility for one or more types of waste.
The EPR fee for a specific type of waste is determined based on the costs associated with the collection and processing of that waste, which includes public awareness initiatives and some administrative expenses.
As an illustration, the EPR fee for one ton of tires is calculated, considering the costs associated with its collection and transportation from service points (e.g., 70,000 AMD/ton based on type and distance to the collection point) and processing costs (e.g., 230,000 AMD/ton). Consequently, a producer who sold 100 tons of tires in the current year would be required to pay 30,000,000 AMD as anEPR fee. This equates to an average of 3,000-4,000 drams per tire.
Per the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Extended Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Armenia is mandated to introduce an Extended Producer Responsibility by the year 2024.
Since the late 1980s, the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility has evolved into an integral component of environmental policy, serving as an effective tool in numerous countries.
A well-operating EPR scheme will yield a range of benefits across environmental, economic, health, and social dimensions. These include:
Every year, around 700,000 tons of municipal solid waste is generated in the settlements of Armenia. Most of the existing waste is disposed of in about 300 dumpsites currently in use.
Thanks to partially implemented waste sorting systems in various settlements, only a maximum of 5% of the total volume of recyclable waste (glass, paper, plastic, metal) is collected in the country. The majority of the recyclables (approximately 95%) is recovered from dumpsites by informal groups.
About Armenia battery recycling
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Armenia battery recycling have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Armenia battery recycling for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Armenia battery recycling featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
