Moldova: EU provides €1.8 million to modernise waste management system in Calarasi, Ungheni, and Leova

Voluntary collection centres (VCC) will be built in Călărași and Ungheni, while the town of Leova will receive financial and technical support to develop a project for such a centre. 

The three localities were selected following a competition conducted in December 2025, in which 12 localities from across the country participated. The costs of constructing and operating the centres are covered by the European Union as part of the project ‘Enabling an inclusive green transition in the Republic of Moldova’, implemented by UNDP Moldova. The total investment is estimated at €1.8 million.

In the initial stage, the VCCs will collect bulky waste (mattresses, furniture), end-of-life products such as electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and accumulators, glass packaging, wood, paper and cardboard waste, used textiles, used tires, plastic packaging (PET), and metal packaging (aluminum cans).

“For the municipality of Ungheni, the construction of a voluntary collection centre is another important step towards creating a sustainable and climate-resilient city, where environmental protection is a priority,” said Ungheni Mayor Vitalie Vrabie.

Each centre will be equipped with dedicated containers for each category. All collected waste will be taken over by authorised companies, which will subsequently ensure its recycling or recovery.

Construction work is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 and the centres are expected to be operational in the autumn of the same year.

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Press release