Bashkiria will collect batteries and mercury lamps for federal operator

UFA, 21 November 2019. /Bashinform News Agency/ translated by Tatiana Aksyutina/.

A unified federal operator for the management of hazardous waste (I and II class) will be created in Russia. These include used batteries and mercury-containing lamps. Within several years, it is planned to launch plants for their disposal. Regions should organize a collection system.

“The waste movement scheme will be developed by an expert council under the relevant parliamentary committee. We will study and adapt the positive experience of other regions, primarily St. Petersburg, to our conditions”, the State Assembly of Bashkiria reports.

“Today, the scope of waste management of I and II hazard classes in Bashkortostan is not regulated. Ufa is a striking example. The city has more than 700 eco-boxes for batteries and mercury-containing wastes, but there are questions about their locations and their maintenance. Part of the boxes is full; no one takes out their contents. Some of the boxes are serviced, but there is no control over how and where hazardous waste is disposed of. We need to develop a transparent system of collection, transportation, and disposal, backing it up with an understandable financing mechanism, ”commented on Konstantin Tolkachev, the Speaker of the regional parliament.