Comprehensive Environmentally Sound Management of PCBs

Summary:

UNDP, in partnership with GEF & the Government, helps Montenegro build a better, greener future by safely disposing of hazardous waste, such as the notorious PCBs. Widely known for their adverse health effects, these organic compounds are still present, predominantly in old industrial equipment. Building on the expertise of international companies with extensive experience in safe removal of toxic materials, we assist in transferring the knowledge & skills to local companies, while getting rid of harmful substances. Currently, PCBs are being removed from industrial locations, in line with all international conventions and standards, after which they will be exported for further decomposition and destruction in special facilities.

The project is implemented together with relevant institutional and industrial stakeholders, i.e. the Ministry for Sustainable Development and Tourism, CEDIS, UNIPROM KAP and other holders of PCB containing equipment. Although the project expects to solve all remaining PCBs issues in the country, it will also ensure that enough capacity has been built for sound management of PCBs and such hazardous waste.

Objectives:

The project intends to support the country with the necessary technical and financial assistance to ensure that all the remaining PCBs in the country are identified and disposed of (estimated in not less than 900 t of PCB contaminated equipment, waste and soil). This will contribute to the achievement of SDG 12, target 12.4 “By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.”

Activities:

The project consists of the following four components:

Capacity strengthening on PCB management:

  • Operators of the electric sector and of the environmental control authority will be trained on the ESM of PCBs,
  • Enforcement of the Montenegro law on PCB management strengthened.

PCB Inventory, planning and establishment of public-private partnership:

  • PCB inventory updated and completed with sampling and analysis of phased out and in-use equipment,
  • PCB national management plan drafted and approved,
  • Establishment of public-private partnership (PPP) for the management of PCB contaminated equipment and waste.

Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of PCBs

  •  Selected storage facilities upgraded for the safe storage of PCB equipment pending disposal or decontamination,
  • Identification, assessment and procurement of environmentally sound PCBs disposal technologies or service,
  • Equipment and waste containing or contaminated by PCB disposed or treated in an environmentally sound way.

Monitoring, learning, adaptive feedback and evaluation

Results:

Comprehensive identification and disposal/treatment of PCB contaminated equipment and waste in the country is an overall objective for the project. It will be achieved by attaining the following results:

  • Comprehensive national PCB inventory;
  • ESM guidance materials drafted, trainings of PCB holders and environmental authorities carried out;
  • Existing storage facilities for PCBs are assessed and upgraded to international standard to allow PCB removal/decontamination operations;
  • The risk for the population surrounding plant and storage facilities containing PCBs is minimized through sound disposal of at least 900 tons of PCB contaminated equipment, waste and soil;
  • Local firms/institutions benefitting from the establishment of a public-private partnership on PCB management.

So far, we achieved the following:

  • 70% of the national PCB inventory developed
  • ESM guidance materials drafted, and trainings of PCB holders and environmental authorities carried out;
  • The main design for future PCB storage developed;
  • 246 t of PCB contaminated equipment, waste and soil exported for final disposal;
  • 3 legal acts amended to include provisions that align them with the Stockholm Convention and EU regulation. 

Project website

Mid-term review documents for applicants: 

Guidance note

Report Audit Trail Template

Terms of reference - International consultant

Terms of reference - Local consultant