In recent years, positive changes have been observed in the "culture" of waste recycling in Armenia. Plastic, paper and glass recycling bins are installed in many addresses in Yerevan's administrative districts. However, the problem of used batteries, which are very dangerous for the environment and contain toxic chemicals, remains unresolved. When found in the wild, batteries can cause significant damage to the environment. Harmful elements of one battery pollute 400 liters of water and 20 square meters of soil. Natural batteries may contain lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, zinc or other toxic substances. There are no used battery acceptance points in Armenia, whereas the batteries are not recycled.
Kristina Ter-Matevosyan, a journalist with EcoLur Informational NGO, paid a study visit to the Czech Republic and Finland within the framework of EU Twinning project “Strengthened protection and sustainable use of biodiversity in Armenia in line with European standards”. "The first thing that caught our attention was the diversity of waste sorting. Waste segregation and collection is wider in the Czech Republic than in Armenia. In addition to paper, plastic, glass, batteries, metal items and old clothes can be recycled. Waste recycling is also diverse in Finland," Kristina Ter-Matevosyan says.
May 30, 2022 at 17:11