Waste traceability. Why is it important and how do you manage packaging waste?
- What is waste traceability?
- Why is traceability important in waste management?
- What types of packaging are included?
- The legal framework governing the traceability of packaging waste
- What obligations do economic operators in Romania have?
- SIATD – who is required to register on the platform and what does SIATD reporting involve?
- How can waste traceability be achieved?
- Systems for traceability in waste management
Waste traceability represents the ability to systematically track the chronological path of waste, identifying every record from the moment it is generated until it is no longer considered waste, either through recycling or disposal.
What is waste traceability?
According to Law no. 211/2011, the concept of waste traceability evolved from the awareness of the need to protect the environment and public health by preventing or reducing the negative effects caused by waste generation and management.
What does traceability mean in waste management?
Why is traceability important in waste management?
What types of packaging are included in waste traceability?
- Packaging made of cardboard and paper: boxes, food packaging, delivery packaging, etc.
- Packaging made of plastic: bottles, containers, films, bags, etc.
- Packaging made of metal: cans, metal containers, foil, etc.
- Packaging made of glass: beverage bottles, jars, vials, etc.
- Packaging made of wood: pallets, boxes, transport packaging, etc.
The legal framework governing the traceability of packaging waste
In the European Union, the management of packaging waste is regulated by several directives and regulations that establish specific requirements for its traceability. The main legislative acts in this regard include:
- Directive (EC) No. 62/1994 on packaging and packaging waste: This directive sets the objectives and requirements for the prevention, recycling, and management of packaging waste. It requires Member States to establish traceability systems for packaging and packaging waste and to ensure their separate collection and recycling.
- Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 on cosmetic products: This regulation establishes specific requirements for packaging used in the cosmetics industry, including aspects related to the traceability of the materials and substances used in such packaging.
- Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment: This directive, known as the “Single-Use Plastics Directive,” sets objectives and requirements for reducing the consumption of plastic packaging and promotes its recycling. It also imposes measures to increase the traceability of plastic packaging waste and to monitor waste quantities and flows.
- Orders are received by email or phone and then entered into the system, extending processing time and increasing the risk of error
- Contract prices and commercial terms are verified manually, generating delays and dependence on the intervention of the sales team
- Inventory availability and commercial approvals are managed separately, without clear rules and without traceability of decisions
What obligations do economic operators in Romania have in waste management?
- Economic operators who place packaged products on the national market, as well as economic operators who import / make intra-community acquisitions of packaged products for their own use / consumption, are responsible for the waste generated by the primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging used for their products, except for sales packaging used to package products at the point of sale;
- Economic operators who overpack individually packaged products for resale / redistribution are responsible for the waste generated by the secondary and tertiary packaging they place on the national market;
- Economic operators who place sales packaging on the national market, including plastic carrier bags, are responsible for the waste generated by that packaging;
- Economic operators who rent out packaging, in any form, on a professional basis, are responsible for that packaging.
SIATD – who is required to register on the platform and what does SIATD reporting involve?
In 2020, the Environmental Fund Administration (AFM) introduced the SIATD platform (Information System for Ensuring Waste Traceability), with the purpose of guaranteeing transparency in packaging waste transactions carried out by companies. The platform is intended for companies involved in waste collection, sanitation activities, as well as sorting and treatment of packaging waste. At the same time, it is also intended for companies responsible for the recovery and recycling of waste, as well as for those required to implement extended producer responsibility, referred to in short as OIREP.
In the reporting process through the SIATD platform, organizations must upload several documents and pieces of information, including identification data and their operating license or environmental permit. As for waste-related information, it must include the type of waste, the packaging, and the approximate quantities for each individual category, along with other details such as the OIREP, the accompanying notice, and the invoice.
Also, transactions initiated through SIATD generate a unique code for each of them, which will appear on the pre-filled forms, and the organizations that take over packaging waste must declare the net and gross quantities for each material category, with the possibility of modifying the quantities after weighing at the receiving point. It is important that these steps be completed within a maximum of five days in order to ensure the fulfillment of recycling or recovery targets, while the financing of costs by the OIREP will be carried out after confirmation of the received quantities on the platform.
How can traceability be achieved in the management of packaging waste?
Software systems for traceability in waste management
Perfectly integrated, Senior Software’s ERP and WMS systems represent a centralized and efficient solution for managing products and packaging, sales and returns, while providing real-time visibility into inventory and ongoing operations.
ERP Romania
The ERP system is the core of a business, being responsible for the integrated management of all activities and workflows within the organization. When it comes to waste management and reporting, the Enterprise Resource Planning solution (ERP) plays a crucial role.
From the ERP system, the percentages of recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, metal, and wood are calculated based on the number of units sold. The system also generates and submits the required declarations to the competent authorities.
WMS Romania
The WMS system transforms and organizes warehouse operations, ensuring complete traceability and rapid adaptation to internal and external business changes. With the help of the WMS solution for warehouse management, it is possible to monitor the flow of packaging and accurately manage their outbound and inbound/returned movements in the warehouse. For example, the system makes it possible to identify the number of pallets or other types of packaging that have been shipped and are expected to be received back for reuse or other purposes.
In addition, a detailed record can also be kept of the packaging held in the custody of each customer. This inventory visibility is essential for efficient resource management and the optimization of logistics operations.
Note: For complete and up-to-date information regarding the obligation to keep records for each type of waste, please consult the Official Gazette published on the anpm.ro website, as well as other sources from the specialized bodies of the central public administration.