“Waste” is generated from economic and social activities, and physical products which are not hazardous wastes, according to the Council of Ministers, Decision No. 26 1/31/1994 on “Residues and Hazardous Wastes”.
Council of Ministers Decision No. 26 1/31/1994 on “Residues and Hazardous Waste” defines hazardous wastes as follows: “Hazardous waste” are all toxic substances, corrosive, explosive, flammable, carcinogenic, and radioactive, capable to change or generate another substance having the ability to accelerate the burning, that destroy the natural being of water, soil and air, damaging man and all living beings in the natural environment.
Albania uses the definition of hazardous waste as set out in the Basel Convention and has adopted the Basel Annexes for its Decision of the Council of Ministers on the Export, Import and Transit of Wastes.
There are no wastes defined as, or considered to be hazardous wastes by national legislation in accordance with Art. 1, para 1(b) of the Basel Convention.
In Albania urban waste and all non-hazardous waste generated from household and social activities require special consideration when subjected to transboundary movement.
The amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) has not been implemented in Albania.
Restrictions on export for final disposal and for recovery
Albania has no restrictions on the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery.
Restrictions on import for final disposal
Albania restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal. The relevant legislations are:
the Environmental Protection Law No. 7664 1/21/1993, Article No. 5: “In the Republic of Albania the import of hazardous waste and substances for reservation, storage or disposal purposes is prohibited”; and
the Council of Ministers, Decision No. 26 1/31/1994: “In the Republic of Albania the import of hazardous waste in gross or refined conditions, and the import of waste for disposal purpose are prohibited”.
Restrictions on import for recovery
Albania has no restrictions on the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery.
Restrictions on transit
Albania restricts the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes. The relevant legislation is the Environmental Protection Law No. 7664 1/21/1993, Article No. 5: “The transit/transport of hazardous waste and substances through the territory and national waters of Republic of Albania is permitted only in case the import is foreseen in an international act in which the Republic of Albania contributes as Party. In this case, the transit/transport is done with permission of the Council of Ministers”.
Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation
Law on Public Removal of Waste No. 8094 3/21/1996;
Decision of Council of Ministers No 26 1/31/1994 on Hazardous Waste and Residues;
Law no. 8364 dated 3 July 1998 amending the law no. 7664 of 21 January 1993 “On Environment Protection”; and
Decision No. 541 of Council of Ministers dated 25 September 1995 “On Duties that Ministers, Institutions and Physical and Juridical Persons have in Environmental Monitoring and Control Process”.
Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures
National strategies/policies
The Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization during the year 2000 collected nearly 80 tonnes of hazardous chemicals and will continue to collect about 3 420 tonnes of this substances for better storage conditions.
Legislation, regulations and guidelines
Decision of Council of Ministers No 26 1/31/1994 on Hazardous Waste and Residues.
Nitrate fertilizers plant in Fier, storage in tanks (D12); and
Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization, collection to store in better conditions (D12).
Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities
None.
Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements
Bilateral Agreement with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, effective from 07.09.2000 to 07.09.2005 on the management of all types of waste; and
Bilateral Agreement with Germany, effective from 13.10.1992 to 13.10.2002 on environmental issues.
Some of the available sources are:
National Environmental Agency (Ministry of Environment); Ministry of Agriculture and Food (Soil Institution); Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization (Institutions under its dependence); Ministry of Health; and Albanian Geological Service.
