packaging a project recycling for all of us

13 YEARS WITH HERRCO

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PackagingRecycling

A project for all of us

A PROJECT FOR ALL OF US 13 YEARS WITH HERRCO

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Packaging Recycling

A project for all of us


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Dear friends,

The Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation completes

this year 13 years of packaging recycling work. With its

focus once again on the fulfillment of the national targets,

HERRCO continued unabated in its endeavors towards

the further development and evolution of the packaging

recycling System – that of the Blue Bin – which effectively

meets our country’s needs.

2015 was an important year for HERRCO as packaging

recycling, through the Blue Bin and Blue Bell projects,

increased significantly for the first time since 2009.

This positive outcome can be grasped in its real dimensions

only if we view it within the general economic context of

Greece. The impact of the recession was obvious in 2015 as

well, negatively affecting the purchasing power of citizens

and, thus, consumption and packaging waste generation.

Therefore in such a year like this, the positive results of

packaging recycling constitute not solely a capstone of

our endeavors, but also a powerful message proving the

continuous support of packaging recycling by citizens.

The positive messages deriving from the operations of the

past year inspire optimism for the years to follow, while

encouraging our efforts for 2016. Once again, we are

committed to actively contribute to the accomplishment of

the national targets by maintaining the upward trend of

packaging recycling via the Blue Bin project. Particularly for

glass packaging, the plan is to enhance and expand the

Blue Bell network in order to serve even more municipalities.

At the same time, the communication activities for citizens

are expected to continue dynamically. As always, the

contribution of the local authorities, affiliated companies

and citizens is indispensable in order to promote packaging

recycling in our country and achieve even greater figures

in the future.

In the following pages, we have depicted, through

quantitative and qualitative data, the activities of the

System of HERRCO by presenting its development and

evolution over the past year. This information demonstrates

our commitment towards packaging recycling with an

undiminished pace also for the future.

Hope you enjoy the read.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of HERRCO,

Loukas Komis

President

Table of ContentsOPENING NOTE ...........................................................................................................5

HELLENIC RECOVERY RECYCLING CORPORATION (HERRCO) ................6

OPERATING PRINCIPLES ..........................................................................................8

SHAREHOLDERS ..........................................................................................................8

EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS ...................................................................................9

NATIONAL TARGETS ..................................................................................................9

LOCAL AUTHORITIES .............................................................................................10

AFFILIATED MEMBER-COMPANIES ..................................................................12

PACKAGING MATERIAL QUANTITIES IN THE LOCAL MARKET ............13

THE SYSTEM ...............................................................................................................14

THE BLUE BIN............................................................................................................16

THE BLUE BIN IN 2015 ........................................................................................18

THE BLUE BIN PER REGION ................................................................................20

THE BLUE BELL ........................................................................................................24

COMPLEMENTARY RECYCLING PROJECTS ...................................................26

PILOT PROJECTS ......................................................................................................27

THE 13-YEAR COURSE OF HERRCO IN FIGURES ......................................28

PROJECT RESULTS .................................................................................................29

FULFILLMENT OF NATIONAL TARGETS .........................................................30

SYSTEM CONTROL & MONITORING ...............................................................31

COMMUNICATION & EDUCATION ....................................................................32

ABBREVIATIONS – ACRONYMS ........................................................................36


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ScopeAs specified by its corporate statute and the terms of operation of CAMS – RECYCLING, the public scope of HERRCO involves:

ν the fulfillment of the legal obligation of its affiliated companies in relation to the disposal of their economic funds necessary for the recycling of their packaging waste

ν the optimal utilization of the funds available for the benefit of recycling

ν the accomplishment of recycling of the maximum possible packaging quantities, in accordance to the legally set National and European Targets

The Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation

Identity The foundation of the Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation (HERRCO) in December of 2001 was the result of an initiative taken among Greek companies active in packaging production and the trading of packaged goods, aiming to meet more effectively their legal obligation for the recycling of packaging waste deriving from their products through the self-administration of their funds, within the framework of the National and European legislation.

To respond to the above requirements, HERRCO – in accordance with the provisions of Law 2939/01 – has developed and implemented in Greece the Collective Alternative Management System – RECYCLING (CAMS – RECYCLING) by applying 6-year Operational Plans as approved by the competent authorities.

HERRCO constitutes an exceptionally successful example of collaboration among the local packaging producers placing their products in the Greek market, the packaging importers and the Local Authorities of the country, who are legally bound for the collection of municipal waste. By the end of 2015, the companies affiliated with HERRCO were 1,847, while the collaborating Local Authorities reached 296 throughout Greece. In relation to its shareholder structure, 35% of the share capital belongs to the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece and the rest to the industrial and commercial companies bound by Law to undertake the collection and recycling of their product packaging.

The operations of HERRCO are not governed by profit, but instead, for the benefit of public interest, as provided by the legal and regulatory framework in force.

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National Targets

13 XΡONIA EEAAΕΝΑ ΕΡΓΟ ΓΙΑ ΟΛΟΥΣ ΜΑΣ

The Collective Alternative Management System (CAMS – RECYCLING) intends to contribute significantly to the achievement of the national targets set for packaging recycling, as outlined in the Joint Ministerial Decision 9268/469/2007.

More specifically the national targets are as follows:

• 60% (by weight) recovery of the total of packaging waste, out of which• at least 55% (by weight) recycling

In particular, the following percentages of recycling are anticipated per material:

• 60% (by weight) glass• 60% (by weight) paper and cardboard• 50% (by weight) metals• 22.5% (by weight) plastics• 15% (by weight) wood

Central Union of Municipalities of GreeceThe Central Union of Municipalities of Greece participates in the share capital of the System with 35% and is represented in the 9-member Board of Directors of HERRCO by 3 members.

The industrial and commercial companies completing the shareholder structure of HERRCO are the following:

• ARTENIUS HELLAS S.A. • COCA – COLA HBC GREECE S.A.• COLGATE PALMOLIVE (HELLAS) S.A.• CROWN HELLAS CAN S.A.• ION S.A.• NESTLE HELLAS S.A.• PEPSICO – IVI S.A.• VIVARTIA S.A.• ATHENIAN BREWERY S.A.• ΕLAIS – UNILEVER HELLAS S.A. • ELVAL S.A. • MEVGAL S.A. • PAPASTRATOS CIGARETTE MANUFACTURING CO.• PROCTER & GAMBLE HELLAS LTD • TETRA PAK HELLAS S.A.• YIOULA GLASSWORKS S.A. • FAGE S.A. • FRIESLANDCAMPINA HELLAS S.A. • PSIGIA THEOD. KLIAFAS S.A.

Shareholders

Expra (www.expra.eu)HERRCO is a member of EXPRA (Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance), the European collective organization which incorporates the national Packaging Recycling Systems established by the legally bound packaging administrators and operating on a non-profit basis. Participation in EXPRA offers know-how on optimal packaging waste recovery, as well as the opportunity to negotiate on common issues faced by the Recycling Systems within the European Union.

Pro-Europe (www.pro-e.org)HERRCO is also a member of PRO-EUROPE (Packaging Recovery Organization Europe), the European collective organization handling the pan-European recycling label, known as the Green Dot. The Green Dot – which is by now on most of the product packaging available in the Greek market – clearly states that the specific piece of packaging has financially contributed to CAMS – RECYCLING. Having signed an exclusive license agreement with PRO-EUROPE for the use of the Green Dot in Greece, HERRCO is responsible for granting the usage rights to the affiliated companies of the System.

Operating Principles

Participation in the share capital of HERRCO is open to any company providing the market with packaged goods, subject to the terms valid for existing shareholders.

HERRCO is a non-profit entity and its shares do not distribute dividends.

Service is provided to the legally bound administrators under the same terms, whether they are shareholders or not.

The main activities of CAMS – RECYCLING are developed in close collaboration with the Local Authorities, as dictated by the legal framework.

HERRCO handles all packaging materials available in the market according to objective technical and financial criteria.

European Partnerships


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ΕΝΑ ΕΡΓΟ ΓΙΑ ΟΛΟΥΣ ΜΑΣ 13 XΡONIA EEAA

Collaboration Sheme B’

RECEIPT AND HANDLING

OF RESIDUE

COLLECTION EQUIPMENT

FINANCIAL ASSISTA

NCE

OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

CO

LLECTION EQUIPMENT

EDUC

ATI

ON

SORTING

EDUCATIONSELLING OF MATERIALS

COLLEC

TION

COLLEC

TIONSORTING

Local Authorities are responsible for the collection and transfer of recyclable materials to the RSCs, as well as for the receipt and handling of the residue from sorting corresponding to them.

Collaboration Sheme A’

The Collective Alternative Management System (CAMS – RECYCLING) undertakes the investment and the operational costs of the recycling projects, while the Local Authorities realize the collection of recyclable materials and the maintenance of equipment.

Collection Equipment System

RSC Establishment System

Collection Operation Municipalities

Sorting Operation System

Education – Promotion System / Municipalities

HERRCO provides municipa-lities with the recycling bins, as well as with the collection vehicles. It also ensures the sorting infrastructure (RSCs) and organizes the educational activities for citizens.

At the same time, HERRCO undertakes the operational expenses of the RSCs, along with the costs of educational activities addressed to citizens and companies, in collaboration with the Local Authorities.

Local Authorities undertake the responsibility to design, organize and operate the packaging waste recycling and recovery projects. In this case, the System covers the expenses for the collection equipment, while the financial assistance it offers to the Local Authorities is equivalent to the certified quantities of the acquired materials delivered for recovery, according to the procedures approved by the competent authorities.

Local Authorities – or other competent municipal bodies – and HERRCO sign collaboration agreements aiming at the most effective organization and management of packaging waste recycling, in accordance with Law 2939/01. The framework for cooperation between the Local Authorities and HERRCO includes two alternative patterns:

Local Authorities



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0

500

1000

1500

2000

107

247

460

826

1078

12931420

15521651

1703

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

1720 1721

2014 2015

18171847

chart 2

Food

41%

Detergents – Cosmetics – Pharmaceuticals – Medical equipment

19%Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

21%

Packaging Material Quantitiesin the Local Market

Still, the issue of contribution evasion (non-compliance to legal obligation) remains grave. Fourteen years after the enforcement of the related law, it is estimated that 40% of contribution is being evaded, while the competent authorities are not applying any measures to confront this issue despite repeated comments from HERRCO.

Based on a sampling of 1,085 companies that have already submitted their reports regarding the quantities of recyclable materials which they have made available in the market, there was a pattern of a decrease for 2015 as well, of about 2% in comparison to 2014. Following an extrapolation on the company reports that are still not submitted, it is estimated that the companies affiliated with the System in total have provided the Greek market with approximately 395,000 tons of packaging material in 2015.

Packaging material 2014 ReportsForecast of 2015 reports(based on a sampling of 1,085 affiliated companies &

estimated % of decrease)

Quantities by affiliated companies (in thousand tons)

Quantities by affiliated companies (in thousand tons)

Paper – Cardboard 144 141

Paper packaging of liquids 14 14

Plastic 107 107

Aluminum 20 18

Tinplate 25 24

Glass 76 72

Wood 16 17

Others 2 2

TOTAL 404 395

Affiliated Member-Companies

Chart 1 presents the progress of signed Agreements, starting from the foundation of the System till the end of 2015. By December 31, 2015 the companies that have signed a Collaboration Agreement with the System were 1,847 in total. The relevant list of companies is communicated to the competent authorities.

Chart 2 depicts the extent of contribution per category on behalf of the Affiliates. The majority of contributions (62%) results from companies active in the food and beverage sector.

The packaging administrators already affiliated with HERRCO cover the largest part of the legal and financial obligations regarding packaging recycling in Greece.At this point, it is worth mentioning that the funds of the System are derived exclusively from the affiliated companies. The average yearly revenue from each new contract reached 900 Euros in 2015. However, the total revenues from contributions decreased by about 2% in relation to the past year, mainly due to the drop in consumption and the ongoing recession.

chart 1

Electric & Electronic Appliances – Spare parts of vehicles and machinery

5%

Chemicals – Construction materials

11%

Clothing – Shoes – Toys – Publications

3%


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The System Blue Bell Project

The Blue Bell serves exclusively the collection of glass packaging deriving from municipal waste. It mainly addresses large producers and venues of business activities that involve the consumption of goods in glass packaging (i.e. entertainment venues, hotel complexes, bars, cafeterias, restaurants etc.).

The goal of this particular project is to create a packaging waste stream that is as clear and pure as possible, close to its point of generation.

The packaging waste relevant to the Collective Alternative Management System (CAMS – RECYCLING) is derived from many sources and follows different routes after use and following their disposal. Driven by the optimal European practices, HERRCO has developed a flexible action plan aiming at the most effective utilization of funds collected by the affiliated companies for packaging recycling. Thus, the activities of HERRCO include:

Blue Bin Project

The Blue Bin constitutes the fundamental means for the fulfillment of the national targets since it undertakes the largest part of recycling realized in Greece resulting from the most crucial and difficult type of solid waste: municipal waste. The Blue Bin Project is addressed to the general public, in other words to all the inhabitants of Greece, and is developed in close collaboration with the Local Authorities, as provided by the legal framework in force.

Citizens are called to place their recyclable materials (packaging waste made of paper-cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum and tinplate) in the Blue Bin. Worthy of special mention is also the project of print paper recycling – a material that is also disposed of in the Blue Bin – despite the fact that these quantities are not admeasured in relation to the national targets and the corresponding producers do not participate in the handling costs of this particular material.

The recyclable materials are collected by the municipalities and transferred to the Recycling Sorting Centers (RSCs) where they are sorted and dispatched for recycling. HERRCO invests heavily in the development of this particular field in order to be in the position to gradually cover the entire population of Greece. In special cases (i.e. the islands) or in areas where the Local Authorities choose to apply a different plan (i.e. regional units of West Macedonia, Chania – Municipal Company of Solid Waste Management), the recycling projects apply more complex collection methods in cooperation with the Local Authorities, such as the multiple collection streams.

Complementary Recycling Projects

Apart from the Blue Bin and Blue Bell projects – and generally the projects realized in collaboration with the municipalities – HERRCO has developed additional projects such as recycling certification/recording of Industrial and Commercial Packaging Waste (ICPW), energy recovery through the use of alternative fuel and others.

These projects are developed in order to contribute to the fulfillment of the national targets through all possible sources of recovery and, thus, create the most complete picture of recycling in Greece which then is brought to the attention of the competent authorities.


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ΕΝΑ ΕΡΓΟ ΓΙΑ ΟΛΟΥΣ ΜΑΣ 13 XΡONIA EEAA

What becomes of recyclable packaging?

Paper packaging

Aluminum packaging

Tinplate packaging

Plastic packaging

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2

3

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Βy now, the Blue Bin constitutes an identifiable element of the urban and semi-urban setting, having gained the acceptance of both citizens and businesses as the effective way for packaging recycling. The greatest proof for this is that, right now there are about 140,000 Blue Bins placed all over Greece, always in collaboration with the municipalities.

The Blue Bin

Sorting at sourceAfter collecting their used packaging separately in their household, citizens are asked to dispose of it in the Blue Bin of their neighborhood. The Blue Bin serves for the recycling of any sort of packaging material (plastic, glass, paper-cardboard, aluminum, tinplate), thus making the process of recycling simpler for inhabitants and the placement of bins in public areas more functional.

CollectionThe packaging materials accumulated in the Blue Bins are collected on a regular basis by the specialized vehicles that HERRCO has provided the Local Authorities with and are then transferred to the Recycling Sorting Centers (RSCs).

Sorting at the RSCsUsing specialized electromechanical equipment along with careful hand sorting, the packaging materials arriving at the RSCs are separated in: paper-cardboard packaging, liquid cartons, print paper, plastic packaging, plastic film, other plastics, glass bottles and containers, aluminum and tinplate packaging.

Transfer for recoveryFollowing their sorting, packaging materials (except glass and tinplate that are placed in special cases) are compressed, baled and stored in order to be dispatched to respective industries for the development of new products.

What is the proper way for recycling?

We separate packaging materials from all other household waste on a daily basis.

We empty packaging completely from all residue.

We fold cardboard boxes.

We dispose of packag-ing loose in the binsand not tied-up in bags

We NEVER throw common waste into the Blue Bins of packaging recycling.

Glass packaging

carton box new bottle new aluminum tin

new tins or steel products

bags, barrels, bottles, thread for fleece cloth etc.

Tinplate packaging (tins of condensed milk, cans, pet food, tomato paste etc.)

Glass packaging (juice bottles, sauce jars, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, wine, food etc.)

Aluminum packaging (soft drink and beer cans etc.)

Paper and cardboard packaging (milk, juices, cereals, pizza, biscuits, sugar, detergents, paper bags etc.)

Plastic packaging (water and soft drink bottles, yogurt, butter, oil, de-tergents, cleaning items, shampoos, shower gels, as well as plastic wrap, deodorants, plastic bags etc.)

What goes into the Blue Bin for recycling?



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The Blue Bin in 2015Despite the general adverse circumstances, the System continued evolving in 2015 and new areas were incorporated into the packaging recycling project.

By the end of 2015, the Blue Bin project had the following to show:

92% of the total population has access to recycling

91% of the Local Authorities are collaborating with the System

about 140 thousand blue bins are being used, while

more than 187 thousand have been delivered to the Local Authorities

473 collection vehicles have been delivered to the Local Authorities

More than 110 thousand collection itineraries of recyclable materials have been realized by the Local Authorities

32 Recycling Sorting Centers are operating throughout the country

3 new Recycling Sorting Centers startedtheir operation (Aspropirgos, Xanthi, Kos)

488 thousand tons of packaging material and print paper were recycled in 2015 (including ICPW quantities)


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WEST MACEDONIAPOPULATION VEHICLES BINS RECOVERY (active) (tons)

283,689 4 2,467 n/a

EAST MACEDONIA AND THRACEPOPULATION VEHICLES BINS RECOVERY (active) (tons)

571,582 4 1,712 11,374

CENTRAL MACEDONIAPOPULATION VEHICLES BINS RECOVERY (active) (tons)

1,757,335 84 29,289 58,123

THESSALY POPULATION VEHICLES BINS RECOVERY (active) (tons)

709,008 28 10,912 23,986

CENTRAL GREECE POPULATION VEHICLES BINS RECOVERY (active) (tons)

516,784 30 7,785 19,183

ATTICA POPULATION VEHICLES BINS RECOVERY (active) (tons)

3,733,862 185 40,505 153,381

EPIRUS POPULATION VEHICLES BINS RECOVERY (active) (tons)

206,779 8 2,989 8,717

WESTERN GREECEPOPULATION VEHICLES BINS RECOVERY (active) (tons)

573,002 22 8,768 14,903

PELOPONNESE POPULATION VEHICLES BINS RECOVERY (active) (tons)

543,162 27 13,043 17,052

The Blue Bin per RegionMainland Greece


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A PROJECT FOR ALL OF US

Islands with Active Recycling Projects in 2015

AEGINA

ALONNISOS

AMORGOS

ANAFI

ANDROS

ASTYPALAIA

ZAKYNTHOS

THASOS

THIRA

KEA

CORFU

KEFALONIA

CRETE

KITHIRA

KOS

LIPSI

LESVOS

LEROS

LEFKADA

LIMNOS

MYKONOS

PAXI

PAROS

PATMOS

POROS

SALAMINA

SAMOTHRAKI

SIFNOS

SKIATHOS

SKYROS

SPETSES

SYROS

FOLEGANDROS

CHIOS

POPULATION SERVED

9.988.900VEHICLES

473

RECOVERY (TONS)

355.887BLUE BINS (ACTIVE)

139.551

ΕΝΑ ΕΡΓΟ ΓΙΑ ΟΛΟΥΣ ΜΑΣ 13 XΡONIA EEAAOverall Presence of HERRCO


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3.700Blue Bells are placed in public areas, serving about 11,500 businesses in collaboration with more than 160 municipalities

1.600 additional Blue Bells are placed in private places of hotels, reception venues and entertainment venues, serving more than 1,500 large businesses

More than

The Blue Bell

2014 2015

Municipalities served 65 163

Blue Bells in place 1.150 3.708

Businesses served 3.820 11.411

Glass Collection Project in Municipalities

As significant quantities of glass bottles are amassed from specific business venues, HERRCO has established since 2013 a separate stream for glass recycling in order to serve the needs of businesses such as hotels, catering companies, event halls, bars, restaurants cafeterias and others. The basic means for separate glass collection is the Blue Bell.

2015 proved to be a positive year for glass recycling as HERRCO managed to expand substantially this stream and address numerous local businesses by placing Blue Bells in pubic areas in collaboration with the municipalities.

The progress of the Blue Bell project is illustrated in the following table:

Of great importance in this endeavour is the regular update of businesses through visits by representatives of HERRCO and distribution of related informational material. Specifically, more than 23,000 informational visits were realized in 2015, corresponding to 3-4 visits per business on average.

The greatest advantage offered by the Blue Bell is the purity of the material collected, which exceeds 95%.



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Energy recovery through alternative fuel production

In 2015, an additional quantity of recycling of 734 tons of tin cans and 6.9 thousand tons of glass bottles was recorded, in collaboration with HELLENIC ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY S.A. (ELVAL S.A.) and YIOULA GLASSWORKS S.A.

ICPW

Apart from the Blue Bin and Blue Bell Projects, HERRCO engages in activities of recycling certification from other sources. More specifically:

Complementary Recycling Projects

Industrial and Commercial Packaging Waste (ICPW) constitutes the most important other source of recycling and involves mostly private, that is non-municipal (outside the collection mechanism of the Local Authorities) pre-existing recycling accruing from third parties. This recycling is certified by HERRCO on behalf of the competent authorities and according to agreements and procedures approved by the competent authorities. Controls, recording and certifications organized by HERRCO are realized by specialized audit companies.

The recorded results of ICPW are in direct conjunction with the local and international market situation, as they actually illustrate in part the business activity of the industrial and commercial companies. In 2015, HERRCO certified 246 thousand tons of ICPW (paper, plastic and aluminum packaging).

Given the lack of end recipient for the recovery of wood packaging in Greece, HERRCO also implemented in 2015 the alternative solution of dispatching wood packaging (mostly wooden pallets) for the production of soil improver – humus (compost). In 2015, HERRCO certified 11 thousand tons of wood packaging for recycling.

Another way for the recovery of packaging waste is through the production and use of alternative fuel. The packaging quantity in the form of alternative fuel which was sent to the cement industry for energy recovery reached 2.7 thousand tons in 2015.

Pilot ProjectsAiming at the maximization of the Blue Bin projects and the extrapolation of useful results regarding the increase in recyclable material quantities and decrease in residue quantities, HERRCO realizes pilot recycling projects in the municipalities of Pendeli, Elefsina and Aliartos, in collaboration with the Local Authorities.

The design of this pilot project was based on the needs for revision in the placement of the network of the Blue Bins in relation to that of the Green Bins for common waste (1 Blue: 1.5 Green in proportion) and for the optimization of collection with each Blue Bin being served 3 times per week.

In order to achieve the above, the appropriate equipment was delivered and extensive informational activities took place in the specific municipalities.

Organic recycling of wood packaging

Material delivery to recycling industries The initial results seem encouraging and therefore the pilot

projects will continue being applied in 2016 as well.

In addition, HERRCO – in order to better organize the operations of the recycling project – develops upon occasion, in collaboration with selected municipalities and municipal bodies, various projects with separate collection at the source which is adapted to local circumstances. These are known as multiple streams of packaging waste, mainly found at the islands, which contribute significantly to the results of recovery and recycling of materials accruing from municipal waste. Projects of this sort operate at the municipalities of Larissa, Sparta, Skiathos, Patmos, Chios, Leros, Lipsi, Spetses and Kos, as well as in collaboration with the Local Authorities of the regional units of Rodopi, Western Macedonia (Waste Management System of Western Macedonia), Chania (Municipal Company of Solid Waste Management) and others.


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Participation of Companies

Population Coverage

Participation of Local Authorities296 Local Authorities have already concluded a collaboration agreement with the System, either directly or through municipal bodies.

Quantities recovered By the end of 2015, more than 488 thousand tons of packaging materials and print paper (including ICPW quantities) were recovered from municipal waste and sent for recycling.

Number of affiliated companies

Citizens served (millions)

2004

10

8

6

4

2

02005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

0,4

2,5

4,3

6,1

6,6

7,68,1 8,1

8,99.4 9.4

9.9

Percentage of population coverage

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

4%

23%

40%

56%61%

70%74% 75%

2012

82%

2013

87%

2014

87%

2015

92%

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012

10

72

286

200

150

100

50

0

250

300

350

400

450

500

380

457

2009

512

2013

442

2014

455

2015

488

519

478

447

Thousand tons

2004

1500

1000

500

0

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

17031720 1721

460

826

1078

12931420

15521651

1817

2014

1847 80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

2015

The 13-year Course of HERRCO in figures Project Results 2015 is the first year demonstrating a significant reversal of the downward trend on recycling results, although the decrease in packaging waste available in the local market persisted mainly due to the drop in consumption.

Index 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Inhabitants served (cumulative sums, mil.) (1)

7,6 8,1 8,1 8,9 9,4 9,4 9,9

Percentage of population coverage (%)

74% 79% 79% 82% 87% 87% 92%

RSCs (cumulative sums) 22 28 27 28 29 30 32

Bins delivered to municipalities (cumulative sums, thousands) (2)

98 111 126 138 153 164 187

Collection vehicles delivered to municipalities (cumulative sums)

327 359 370 387 406 430 473

(1) It includes collaborating Local Authorities or other bodies handling municipal waste. The population figures for 2012-2015 are based on the 2011 Census by the National Statistical Service of Greece (while the population figures for 2009-2011 are based on the 2001 Census by the National Statistical Service of Greece).

(2) The ongoing recording of bins shows that the existing network currently includes approximately 140,000 active Blue Bins.

YEARS 2009 - 2010 - 2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 AT A GLANCE

There was a 10% increase in packaging waste recycling in comparison to 2014. The total quantities of packaging waste (including ICPW) which were recycled in 2015 reached 428 thousand tons; this constitutes the highest result over the last 6 years, allowing Packaging Recycling to make a come-back towards its highest level at the beginnings of the System (432 thousand tons in 2009).

There was also an increase of 7% in overall recycling in comparison to 2014 (488 thousand tons of recyclable materials including print paper and other non-packaging material).

There was an even greater increase (12%) in packaging recycling deriving from the Blue Bin project – the main project of HERRCO – in comparison to 2014.

There was a 7% increase in per capita recycling (of packaging waste) through the Blue Bin project. This increase reversed the downward trend of the 5 previous years.

There was an increase of 25% in glass packaging waste collected in 2015 (in comparison to 2014) reaching 25 thousand tons. It should be mentioned that glass is the only material falling short of the National Targets.

5,300 Blue Bells (glass stream) were placed by the end of 2015 in 163 municipalities and 1,600 in private areas. In total, this project serves 13,000 businesses which are generating glass packaging waste (i.e. restaurants, bars, hotel complexes).

Conversely, there was a 2% decrease in the packaging waste quantities made available in the market in 2015 (in comparison to 2014) mainly due to the ongoing impact of the economic recession (drop in consumption).

The percentage of contribution evasion remains very high (around 40%). This means that a bit less than half of the packaging materials are made available in the local market without the contractual commitment of their producers to the System. The competent authorities are urged to take action and apply effective measures against contribution evasion the soonest possible.

In 2015, HERRCO showed an economic deficit which is covered by the reserve formed over the first few years of the System’s operation and which has been decreasing since 2007.

HERRCO has spent more than 300 million Euros in investments (bins, vehicles, RSCs) and in the operational expenses of recycling projects from the establishment of the System up to date.

ν

ν

ν

ν

ν

ν

ν

ν

ν

ν


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Fulfillment of National TargetsAccording to data collected by HERRCO, the National Targets for packaging waste recovery have been achieved (60% recovery of the total of packaging waste made available in the local market). The fulfillment of the National Targets through the results of HERRCO is depicted in the following diagram:

It reveals that:The National Targets in terms of paper/cardboard, plastic, metal and wood were fulfilled in 2015 as well as the overall 2015 National Target.

However, the real issue in relation to the achievement of the National Targets remains to be for glass packaging. The System will keep working towards this direction to enhance the network’s effectiveness. Still, in order to promote participation in glass recycling, institutional intervention and activation of all related parties is necessary (State, Municipalities, related businesses).

The manner in which HERRCO’s activities are targeted in relation to the overall National Targets stems, not from its legal obligation, but from the voluntary design of the System as depicted on the Operational Plan of 2015-2020 submitted to the competent authorities in December of 2014. The legal obligation of HERRCO and the objective of the Blue Bin project – and of the rest of its activities – pertain exclusively to packaging waste. Still, the Blue Bin project, developed by HERRCO in collaboration with the Local Authorities, recovers an additional quantity of approximately 60 thousand tons of materials which is not packaging (mostly print paper and other material) and for which their corresponding producers are not contributing due to lack of legal framework; thus, this quantity is not calculated in the fulfillment of the System’s targets.

Fulfillment of goals over the year - total quantitiesICPW

ν Recording and control on ICPW loading or unloading at collaborators’ facilities

ν Analysis of packs in order to identify the percentage of packaging

ν Control on sales invoices in order to avoid the double entry of quantities from RCSs to ICPW and vice versa

TOTAL

HERRCO applies specialized control and monitoring procedures in order to safeguard the reliability of the results of packaging recycling. Recording and certification of the quantities per activity of the System rely on procedures that have been brought to the attention of the competent authorities or that have been instructed by the latter. In summary, these include:

System Control & Monitoring

Blue Bin project (Recycling Sorting Centers)

Quantities collectedν Control and recording of quantities entering the RSCsν Control on loads from Island Local Authoritiesν Control on loads from reloading areasν Sample verification of load weights recorded during

parallel measurements on third parties’ weighbridges

Quantities recovered:ν Measurements for the identification of the anticipated

quantities of recovered materials and residueν Full weighting and recording of recovered materialsν Measurements of packaging that might be lost in

residueν Measurements for quality identification of recovered

materialsν Control on mass balances

Quantities sold:ν Verification of data based on sales invoices of

packaging material dispatched to the secondary market

ν Control on mass balances so that the certified sold quantities do not exceed the certified recovery

Blue Bell Project

ν Recording and control of collection itineraries ν Recording and control of collected quantities upon

their entrance to the consignees of glass bottlesν Controls on mass balances based on sales invoices

ν Quality recording in the presence of inspectors to verify that the material which is being broken into pieces is actually wood packaging

ν Sample recording of material loading at the collector’s – processor’s unit

ν Sample recording of material unloading at the end recipients’ facilities

ν Extrapolation of percentage of used wood packaging used for the production of new products (preparation for re-use)

Wood Packaging

Alternative Fuel

ν Material control and analysis on a regular basis of power supply in order to define the contents of the end product (alternative fuel) in packaging waste

ν Recording of incoming loads (raw material) at the facilities of RDF producers and of outgoing loads to the cement industry

ν Confirmation of use by end recipients

For all the projects of the System, a total of 40,000 hours of controls were realized in 2015 by external collaborators

(TÜV AUSTRIA, BUREAU VERITAS).


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Communication & EducationFor one more year, HERRCO developed and implemented a series of specialized communication programs aiming at the awareness and activation of citizens for their proper participation in packaging recycling. In detail, the activities in 2015 included the following:

Informational Programs

ν Print campaign on Sunday newspapers, newspaper inserts, magazines and free press publications via print ads and advertorials

ν Internet campaign in high-traffic informational websites and portals via banners and informative texts

ν Social media campaign, e-game and e-contest under the theme of proper recycling in the Blue Bin via the related page of HERRCO

ν Mobile media campaign via branding on the back side of city buses and in the interior of metro trains (panes and lintels)

ν Infomercials with a series of short free-standing programs on TV programs and main news bulletins

ν Radio spots and references at Larissa, Pirgos, Tripoli and Crete

ν Advertorials – specials on recycling on local print media in collaboration with the municipality of Thessaloniki

Promotional Activities

ν New innovative activities with music being the main element; recyclable packaging is transformed into musical instruments, this way inviting people to learn about recycling in the Blue Bin. The “Jazz for kids and grown-ups” event took place at Kifisia, Aghios Dimitrios, Nea Smirni, Pendeli and Peristeri, while the “Glass Music” event took place at Kallithea, Chalandri, Nea Smirni, downtown Athens and Thessaloniki.

ν Promos in large supermarket chains in Athens and Thessaloniki during the Christmas period and on the World Environment Day

ν Promos in department stores and malls of several municipalities

ν Promos at the entrance of metro stations in Attica during the Christmas period

ν Informative activities and events for the proper use of the Blue Bin at central spots and squares in the municipalities of Pella, Arta, Ilioupoli, Tripoli, Nikaia – Aghios Ioannis Rendi, Pirgos, Elefsina, Pendeli and Aliartos

ν Informative activities in restaurants, bars, cafés in 200 municipalities aiming at the promotion of glass recycling in the Blue Bell

ν Distribution of info material to public services and banks in the municipalities of Pendeli, Elefsina and Aliartos

ν Door-to-door distribution of a specialized brochure (Blue Bin/Blue Bell) to households and shops, as well as of specially designed Recycling Calendar during the Christmas period, in the municipalities of Pendeli, Elefsina and Aliartos

ν Distribution of info pack (recycling bag, specialized brochure, Mayor’s letter) to all the households of the 25 new Local Authorities which were incorporated in the System; in 2015, 205,571 households received the relative info pack

ν Promo activities in the historical centre of Thessaloniki

ν Events at busy commercial streets and main crossroads in the municipalities of Aliartos, Elefsina and Pendeli

ν Distribution of info material to the personnel of companies affiliated with HERRCO and organization of day conferences and seminars regarding recycling

ν Training seminars for the employees in the cleaning services of the municipalities of Kalamaria, Pilea, Thermi and Thermaikos

“Recycle – Make it a way of life” info campaign under the auspices of the Hellenic Recycling Agency and in collaboration with SKAI media group. The related messages were broadcasted via SKAI TV and SKAI, MELODIA and SPORT FM radio stations, while they were also hosted at skai.gr. At the same time, related events were organized in the municipalities of Larissa, Pendeli, Elefsina, Peristeri, Piraeus, Patras, Thessaloniki, Maroussi, Athens and Kalamata.


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Activities for Children

ν Fun– educational events, such as the Fun Fair of Recycling with 37 events in municipalities all over Greece, each attended by more than 300 children

ν Application of the program “Recycling at School: Changing Attitudes” involving the placement of a Blue Bin of 360lt capacity within the school community along with educational presentations aiming at the awareness of students. In 2015, 1,439 presentations took place at 250 schools in Attica and the regional unit of Thessaloniki. Approximately 36,000 students were informed about the benefits of recycling and the proper use of the Blue Bin, while 304 bins were provided to corresponding schools. The program is in progress throughout the current school year.

ν Application of the educational program “Discover how you can properly recycle through the Blue Bin”, under the license of the Ministry of Education. It consists of 5 modules along with numerous educational methods such as games, exercises and role playing. The educational kit delivered to all schools contains the following: time plan and program of packaging recycling classes, detailed course guide along with aids, informational brochure about packaging recycling, poster and educational video. Moreover, a specialized webpage was developed for additional material.

ν Student visits at RSCs, offering the opportunity to attend the entire recycling process in person. In 2015, 22 visits of 640 students were realized by 22 schools of Greece.

ν Support of the environmental education network at primary and secondary educational institutions in Thessaloniki regarding recycling.

Other Activities

ν Use of print material, which was not used in the national elections, in collaboration with the region of Attica and the municipality of Nea Ionia in order to support social groups in need (Social Grocery Store of Nea Ionia)

ν Administration of the HERRCO fan page at Facebook titled “Blue Bin Packaging Recycling – RECYCLE” with more than 90,000 members

ν Publication of annual report titled “12 years HERRCO”

ν Creation of 5 electronic newsletters presenting the activities of HERRCO and addressed to central bodies, public administration, Local Authorities and affiliated companies

ν Dispatch of 7 press releases/corporate news which generated 141 publications in print and online media

ν Production of specialized communication tools (i.e. info brochures, posters and stands).

ν Response to 4 journalistic requests (from print, online, TV and radio media) which were followed by 1 print, 1 TV and 2 radio references. In 2015, the total number of publications in print or online media referring to HERRCO and the Blue Bin Project reached 1,630.

ν Response to 320 written requests by citizens (either via e-mail or the Facebook page), as well as to more than 1,350 phone calls

ν Placement of permanent stands with brochures at central areas of Municipalities

ν Support of the info campaign organized by the municipality of Thessaloniki regarding recycling via the creation of specialized print material and the broadcasting of related TV and radio spot

Participation in Events/Conferences

ν Participation in environmental events organized by certain Municipalities

ν Participation in cultural events and concerts through the collection of recyclable materials

ν Support of conferences through presen-tations, placement of stands and distribution of info material (i.e. 1st Conference for Recycling on the Islands at Santorini, 9th Panhellenic Summit of Solid Waste Management Associations at Hersonisos of Crete, 25th Panhellenic Conference of the Eco Organizations’ Network at Volos, 2nd Food for Success Conference, Waste and Recycling Awards).

ν Participation in the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair through an enriched info program for visitors

ν Participation in the 33rd Athens Authentic Marathon though a specialized info kiosk and collection/recovery of recyclable materials during and after the event


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HERRCOHellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation

CAMSCollective Alternative Management System

RSCs Recycling Sorting Centers

PW Packaging Waste

ICPWIndustrial and Commercial Packaging Waste

ΡΕΤPolyethylene Terephthalate

PEPolyethylene

PP/PS Polypropylene / Polystyrene

ΗDPEHigh-density polyethylene

Packaging Waste Recycling:The re-processing as production procedure of packaging waste or other products so that they can be used for their original purpose or other purposes, including that of organic recycling while excluding the recovery of energy.

Abbreviations – Acronyms

You can watch the entire recycling process

via the corporate video of HERRCO at

www.herrco.gr


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www.herrco.gr Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation S.A.5, Chimaras StreetMaroussi, 151 25Athens, GreeceTel.: +30 210 8010962-3 Fax: +30 210 8012272 e-mail: [email protected]

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packaging a project recycling for all of us

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