The General Council of Bucharest Municipality voted on Tuesday a decision approving the Master Plan for the integrated waste management system. One of the main provisions of the Master Plan is the construction of a waste incinerator, using what remains after the separate collection of recyclable waste and bio-waste.

The value of the incinerator is estimated at 146.5 million euros show the calculations of the City Hall consultant, Ramboll South East Europe, and would be built by 2022 on the site of the current CET Progresu power station, in Sector 4, on 1A Pogoanelor Street. The long-term investment plan, worth 462 million euros, provides for major investments in separate collection systems, sorting stations and waste treatment plants, in addition to the incineration plant.

The document adopted is a strategic one, the PNL councilor Ciprian Ciucu said at RFI. “In other words, it is a document that guides the City Hall’s action regarding waste management. There will be new discussions with representatives of the European Commission, starting from this Plan. There is no feasibility study and no written project, a funding application – it is nothing more than a strategic document”.

The construction itself has small chances of materialization, as a strong resistance from the inhabitants of the Capital and environmental organizations is expected. They will also have the political support of the parties which are in opposition today (USR and PNL), but well placed in the perspective of near local and national elections. “It would be good to reconsider this solution”, PNL councilor Ciprian Ciucu told at RFI.