Joining forces to reduce waste
Integrated Municipal Waste Management in Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
Best Practice UN-Habitat 2002

Lead Idea

Many Rumanian cities were struggling with old waste collection systems which in some cases had become totally unsuitable. In Ramnicu Valcea, local residents were approached to join in the restructuring process. New systems are usually supported from abroad, once they turn out to be successful. In the case of Ramnicu Valcea, Germany provided waste collection trucks and containers, as well as a pilot facility for composting. Yet real success only came about through improved information mechanisms and cooperation between the municipality and the local population.

The issue at stake

Ramnicu Valcea was threatening to drown in waste. Without suitable technology or logistics and no space for deposits it took up to 20 minutes to remove one m³ of household waste. The first step towards improvement was made by the German government who donated 5,000 waste containers and three waste disposal trucks. However, it was quite clear that more serious steps were necessary if the issue was to be taken by its roots.

Possible solutions, resources

A study was carried out in cooperation with German experts, responsible local politicians and students at the institute for ecology in Bucarest to determine the source and composition of waste. It showed, amongst others, that much of the waste was organic and thus could be turned into valuable humus in the apposite composting facility. An information campaign was launched to encourage residents to separate their waste. The organic residues collected were composted in the pilot composting facility.

Process, effects

The entire waste collection system was overhauled, including collection points, removal, separation and a new waste deposit. German experts were called in to retrain staff and the different steps were then performed with the consent of the residents concerned. The project was considered efficient enough to be granted urgently required financial support from the EU's ISPA programme.

Experiences, transferability

As the new waste concept took shape citizens also started to become involved in the process. They opened an information centre, created a homepage (www.primariavl.ro) and held public discussions. Many private-public partnerships also became interested in the project. The information centre has established close contacts with the state committee for environmental protection and is thus networked with other cities in Rumania.

Size of municipality: small town
Participation: German experts, university of Bucarest, information campaign and citizen participation
Financing: donations from Germany, EU funding, private-public partnerships

Integrated Municipal Waste Management in Ramnicu Valcea in the UN HABITAT database