Moldova could import glass pieces as raw material

The Republic of Moldova could import glass fragments and waste that do not contain dangerous substances to use them as secondary raw material to make glass packaging. Parliament passed a respective bill. According to the Government, the present legislation does not allow to import such materials, while the quantities of recyclable glass collected from the population and legal entities are not enough. Each year, the factories experience a shortage of about 5,000 tonnes of glass pieces. The wine and certain food products are exported in glass packages and this also contributes to the insufficiency of glass. By the same draft law, the Parliament extended the deadline for packing at least 50% of the food products in glass packaging from January 1, 2008 until January 1, 2010. The Government says that the national producers are now unable to meet the given norms. Firstly, the equipment existing in the country is 35-50% worn-out and the value of the residue is considerable. The withdrawal of the equipment will inevitably lead to substantial losses. Secondly, the changeover to glass packaging is very costly. The price of a milk bottling line for instance costs 300,000-400,000 euros. But there is also the cost of assembling and testing and of training the personnel as well as of collecting and washing the glass and of recycling the wastewater. Specialists estimate that the switch to glass packaging will necessitate over 8 mln euros as capital investment.