Narrative
The project was funded from a 2007–2013 Operational Program and the beneficiary was an association created in 2009 that joines all the 61 localities from Sălaj county, called ECODES Sălaj. The objective was to ensure a healthier life for local residents and a more ecological environment, as the country assumed this objective with the joining of the European Union. The center of the integral waste management system is at Dobrin, with a surface of almost 200000 m2 and a capacity of 1100000 m3. It houses the following facilities: ecological deposit, sorting station, mechanical and biological treatment station, purification station. Three transfer stations were built in the county: Crasna, with a surface of 7000 m2 and a capacity of 13900 t/year; Sînmihaiu Almașului, with a surface of 6000 m2 and a capacity of 2600 t/year; Surduc, with a surface of 5990 m2 and a capacity of 3400 t/year. The roads leading to these facilities was also rebuilt in a total length of 6,1 km. The acquisition of trucks, different machines and containers was also done from the OP finance. A strong awareness raising campaign was also held within the local community about the importance of waste management.
Financial data
Total: 31,500,000 EUR from ERDF through POSM (90%) and 10% local budget.
Recommendations
The well invested ERDF fund led to a 50% recycled amount of waste in Sălaj county, one of the best percentages in the country. Generally in Romania only 17% of waste is recycled and 70% end up in garbage dumps. In Sălaj county, thanks to the project, the 4 polluting dumps in use before the project were all closed: Crișeni, Șimleu Silvaniei, Cehu Silvaniei, Jibou. They were closed in a rehabilitated maner. The new waste management system is working from 2016 and is a success story that can inspire other large structural investments.
Information sources
Salaj County websiteOther info
https://kronikaonline.ro/gazdasag/a-szilagysag-elen-jar-az-ujrahasznositasban https://cjsj.ro/index.php/consiliul-judetean/strategii-programe-proiecte/10-proiecte-finalizate/39-sistem-de-management-integrat-al-deseurilor-in-judetul-salaj https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3mGdq9hTKw
