National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste exists in Albania.
“Wastes” are substances, objects or parts of them, determined by the relevant authority, which are no longer used or which the owner likes to carry away. These materials will be considered wastes, as long as the materials taken from them or the energy generated are not included on the production process. –law No.8934, date 5.09.2002 “On Environmental Protection”.
National definition of hazardous waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste exists in Albania.
“Hazardous wastes” are the erosive, toxic, corrosive, explosive, inflammable, carcinogenic, infective and radioactive substances that can alter the natural state of water, soil or air with grave consequences for human health and natural ecosystems. –law No.8934, date 5.09.2002 “On Environmental Protection”.
Albania regulates/controls additional wastes as hazardous that are not included in Art. 1 (1)a of the Basel Convention and would be controlled for the purpose of transboundary movements pursuant to Art. 1 (1)b.
According to the Albanian legislation, all types of waste (hazardous or not) that are object of import, export and transboundary movements are object of control and they need special permission from Council of Ministers (for import of waste) and permission from Minister of Environment (for export and transboundary movements).
Actually MoE and Custom Office are working to prepare a new list of waste that will be allowed to export, import or transboundary movements).
Albania is in preparatory process of identifying wastes other than those pursuant to in Art. 1 (1)a and/or Art. 1 (1)b of the Basel Convention that require special consideration when subjected to transboundary movement.
In Albania urban waste and all non-hazardous waste generated from household and social activities require special consideration when subjected to transboundary movement.
Restrictions on Transboundary Movement
Amendment to the Basel Convention
The amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) has been implemented in Albania.
Albania restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery.
Regulation No 4 date 15/10/2003 “Procedures for approving of Permit for Export of waste and Permit for Transboundary Movements of waste”.
No laws or decisions for hazardous waste yet.
The restriction covers all countries.
Restrictions on import for final disposal
Albania restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal.
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”.
The restriction covers all countries.
Restrictions on import for recovery
Albania restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery. 1. Actually the import of hazardous waste is prohibited for recovery also. 2. Related to import of waste: Decision of Council of Ministers no. 806 date 4.12.2003 “Procedures for import of waste, which will use for reusing, recovery and recycling”.
The restriction covers all countries.
Restrictions on transit
Albania restricts the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
1. Environmental Protection Law No. 7664 1/21/1993, Article No. 5 defines: "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".
2. The Regulation of Ministry of Environment no.4 date 15.10.2003 “Procedures for approving of Permit for Export of waste and Permit for Transboundary Movements of waste”, which defines the requirements and authority (MoE) that issues this permit.
The restriction covers all countries.
Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation
National strategies/policies
Solid Waste Management Plan; The Law for the Management of Hazardous Chemical Substances will be completed in 2001; and
The approval in July 2001 of the "Strategic Action Plan for healthcare waste management in Tirana city".
Legislation, regulations and guidelines
Environmental Protection Law No. 7664 1/21/1993; Environmental Protection Law No.8934 date 05/09/2002; Law no. 9010 date 13/02/2003 “On environmental management of solid waste”; Law no.8990 date 23/01/03 “On environmental impact assessment”;
Decision of Council of Ministers No 26 1/31/1994 on Hazardous Waste and Residues; 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”; Law no.9108, date 17/07/2003 “On the Chemical Substances and their compounds”; and Decision of Council of Ministers ‘On classification, packaging, labeling and storage of hazardous chemicals”.
Economic instruments/ initiatives
According to the Law no.8990 date 23/01/03 “On environmental impact assessment”, the activities and industries should apply for Environmental Permit before they start work, and they have obligation to prepare a plan-measures for management and limit waste generation (which should be present in Environmental impact Assessment Report).
According to the Law no.9010 date 13/02/2003 “On environmental management of solid waste”: Article 9.a: “the activities and industries that generate waste should build facilities and technologies for recycling and recovery of wastes according to quantity and kind of waste”.
Article 9.c: “the activities and industries that generate waste should prepare a plan of technical, technological and organizational measures for management and limit waste generation.
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.
Disposal/
Recovery Facilities
Disposal facilities
Ministry of Industry and Energy; Temporary storage in abandoned industrial sites; D12
By 2000 Ministry of Energy and Industry drew up an inventory of hazardous substances in 98 enterprises. The quantity of hazardous accumulated at industrial facilities totaled 3105 tons, of which 2115 tons are stored as obsolete chemicals and 990 tons could be used as raw materials. No measures are being taken to destroy these obsolete hazardous chemicals. In addition, about 1000 tons of obsolete pesticides have accumulated in agriculture (farms and storage).
