Moldova: Selecting Plastic Collective System Management Entity Responsible for Reverse Vending Machines Operation

Deadline: 14-Jun-21

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova invites interested specialized companies to apply for being selected as an implementing partner for plastic bottles collecting through Reverse Vending Machines (RVM).

Based on a GEF/UNDP project UNDP will support in implementation of a Pilot Project for Plastic bottles collecting through Reverse Vending Machines.

Objectives

To contribute to the Green Cities project development objective and intended CO2 reduction (200k tons of CO2eq. from direct GHG emission reductions);
Promotion of efficient plastic waste management through establishment of a network of reward-based plastic bottles collection points;
Encourage further development of plastic bottles collection system/infrastructure in commercial entities (stores, etc).

For this reason, is UNDP Moldova searching for potential and eligible collective system management entity to provide all related Services under conditions below:

The Partnership agreement will be signed between Green City Lab (GCL) and Plastic collective system management entity. Plastic collective system management entity will have the responsibility to ensure that the collected plastic will be further sorted and recycled by the recycling companies at their plants and at the same time ensure that the customers insert will receive their reward.
The Plastic collective system management entity will be responsible for development of the financial mechanism and technical requirements (e.g. business model, price mark-up, reward system, methodology for deposit refund, identification of plastic collection points, ToR/Technical specification for RVM system and equipment development) with the support of UNDP and GCL.
Procurement and installation of at approx. 20 RVMs at the collection points will be done by the UNDP. However, all the necessary coordination activities will be under the direct responsibility of the Plastic collective system management entity. The GCL will maintain an ownership of the procured RVM machines during the reimbursement period. A bilateral agreement will be concluded between Plastic collective system management entity as machine operator and GCL as machine owner until the total cost of the equipment will be reimbursed. Plastic collective system management entity will receive payments from the plastic recycling unit in the first phase, based on plastic quantity collected, and will reimburse the cost of equipment to the GCL in the agreed period of time. At the end of the reimbursement period the ownership of the equipment will be transferred to Plastic collective system management entity. The reimbursed financial resources will be reinvested by GCL in further expansion of the reverse vending machine network or implementation of other projects in waste management domain.
Contribution to an educational and promotion campaign by showing benefits of sorting out and returning plastic bottles. The campaign will be implemented in partnership with UNDP and other interested NGO’s/projects/companies.

Eligibility Criteria

An Applicant shall be a min. 3 years registered entity according to Moldovan legislation having listed as an activity – Waste management.
The Applicant shall provide a proof that it represents minimum 3 (three) producers of products subject to the extended producer responsibility.
The Applicant shall provide copies of contracts/agreements with PET collectors, sorting and recycling companies, to ensure plastic waste traceability.
The Applicant shall provide copies of financial reports to assess financial sustainability in order to develop and maintain the system.
The Applicant should confirm in a written form that is ready to accept the procured by UNDP RVM, operate and ensure their technical maintenance under own costs.
The Applicant should confirm in a written form that will sign the agreement with the Green City Lab (GCL) for reimbursement of the cost of RVM equipment (incl. installation costs) in the agreed period of time.
The residential building should have or fulfil following conditions:
Proof of stipulation in the applicant statutory documents, that the performed activities are in line with the Regulation on packaging and packaging waste, approved by the Government of Moldova would be considered an advantage.
Proof of existing agreements for installation of plastic collection points would be considered an advantage.
Previous experience in implementation of waste management projects would be considered an advantage.
Previous experience in collaboration with international organizations, central and local authorities, NGOs would be considered an advantage.