Hazardous waste landfills to be created in Armenia

ArmInfo.Even if the production of electric vehicles generates more greenhouse gas emissions than traditional vehicles, electric vehicles are still more cost-effective than internal combustion engine vehicles when  considering the entire life cycle, from production to operation.  

This was stated by Vardan Karapetyan, ADB Senior Climate Change Expert, during an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) seminar for media representatives on the topic of "Climate Literacy/Reporting for Media Professionals". 

However, according to him, there is another side to the coin. The  issue of hazardous waste management is acute in Armenia. The expert  expressed regret that the country lacks the capacity to dispose of,  process, safely store, and render hazardous waste harmless.  Additionally, there is also a legislative gap. "We are assisting the  Ministry of Environment through a technical assistance program to  enhance the agency's capacity to manage three types of hazardous  waste: expired pesticides, transformer oils, and electronic and  electrical waste (including solar panels, conventional batteries, and  electric vehicle batteries)," Karapetyan said. He explained that all  waste, regardless of the risk level, to currently sent to household  landfills, which poses significant environmental threats. 

The ADB expert assured that the state is considering creating new  capacities to manage hazardous waste, instead of exporting it.  However, various international conventions, as noted by Karapetyan,  prohibit the export of hazardous waste through certain countries.  "The only solution is to develop our own capacities for managing  hazardous waste," he said. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is  currently conducting a feasibility study to plan landfills and  facilities that can address the current gaps in this area. "We are  creating standard models that will identify potential locations for  these landfills, as they are undesirable for any community. The work  is planned to be completed by December 2024, followed by a relevant  conference," the ADB expert stated.