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Disposal of Used Equipment Containing ODS and POPs

An important component of the coordinated management of the disposal of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) within the framework of the GEF-UNIDO Regional Demonstration Project has been the organisation of the collection, storage, and processing of waste containing ODS and POPs.

Ozone-depleting substances may be found in the refrigeration circuits and thermal insulation of old refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners, while persistent organic pollutants were widely used in the manufacture of household appliances. If end-of-life equipment is not disposed of properly, these harmful substances will re-enter the environment.

Experience of the Republic of Belarus

One of the partners in the project in the Republic of Belarus is the open joint-stock company “BelVTI”.

The company collects and processes waste electrical and electronic equipment, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, used batteries, mercury lamps, waste paper, plastic, glass and cullet, automotive catalysts, and accumulators. It works with both legal entities and individuals. A special eco-taxi service and eco-points have been established for collecting recyclables from the public. The collected recyclables are sorted into components for safe disposal or reuse.

Within the framework of the project, JSC “BelVTI” carries out the following tasks:

  • collection of equipment containing ODS and POPs;
  • identification of ODS and POPs in the equipment;
  • extraction of ODS and components containing POPs;
  • transportation of ODS and parts of equipment containing POPs to processing sites.

During the project implementation period, more than 300,000 units of refrigeration equipment have been processed at the company’s production sites.

As part of the project, equipment for the collection and processing of hazardous waste was purchased. This has enabled the company to expand its specialised fleet for the collection and transportation of waste electrical and electronic equipment, including refrigeration equipment and air conditioners, as well as to enhance its capabilities for identifying and extracting refrigerants and for the refurbishment of refrigeration equipment.

The handover of equipment to JSC “BelVTI” took place at the ECOLOGY EXPO – 2023 exhibition in August 2023. The company received:

  • vehicles for collecting equipment from the population and transporting the collected waste to processing sites:
    • a semi-trailer tractor unit,
    • a medium-tonnage cargo vehicle,
    • minivans;
  • a set of equipment for the identification of ODS and POPs;
  • a set of equipment for the extraction of freons;
  • a set of equipment for the refurbishment and extension of the service life of refrigeration equipment.

The transferred vehicles and equipment have made it possible to increase the volume of refrigeration equipment collected and refrigerants extracted, and to expand the eco-taxi fleet.

Currently, preparations are underway for the launch of an industrial line for processing refrigeration equipment. This line will allow the safe extraction of ozone-depleting substances from the foamed thermal insulation of appliances while obtaining valuable secondary raw materials. All necessary decisions have been taken by the Belarusian side, and the relevant approvals, design work, and expert reviews have been completed.