Further to their recent interview with Recycling International, we asked Bogdan Ene, Production Manager at GreenWEEE of how the company is leading the transition to a circular economy in Eastern and Central Europe.
As the Production Manager at GreenWEEE, market leader in e-waste recycling industry in Romania and a proud member of GreenGroup, I have been honoured to hold this position for the last two years. In this role, responsibilities include overseeing the production processes and ensuring the efficient recycling of electronic waste. Having assumed this role, I have since been leading our facility’s production operations with a commitment to environmental responsibility and efficiency. My journey in this position reflects a deep passion for sustainable practices and a drive to make a meaningful impact in the field of e-waste recycling.
GreenWEEE provides comprehensive solutions for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). With over 15 years of dedicated industry development, our company has evolved into a thriving market leader in Romania and a prominent player in Europe. We specialize in the collection, processing, and recycling of WEEE, and we proudly hold the WEEELABEX (WEEE Label of Excellence) certificate for five treatment streams, including Type 1, 2, and 3 certifications for LDA, SHA, and LCD, Type 1 and 2 certifications for CFA, and a Type 2 certification for lamp treatment, making us the sole recycler in Romania to achieve this distinction.
Throughout this period, our mission has remained constant: maximizing the value extracted from electrical and electronic waste equipment, recovering all materials, and pioneering innovative solutions for their integration into new production processes.
We became part of this project out of the necessity to discover a solution and address the battery-caused fire challenge within the recycling sector. Like many recyclers around the world, we too contend with fires caused by batteries.
As production manager, I see the GRINNER project as a chance to address our primary issue, which is removing the batteries from e-scarp before they are processed in the shredder and reducing the risk of explosions or fires into the production streams. By implementing a rigorous battery removal process, we can ensure the safety of our workers and prevent any potential damage to our machinery. With the GRINNER project, we can revolutionize our production process and set a new standard for responsible e-scrap recycling. We hope to transform the industry through the GRINNER project and encourage others to do the same.
However, our involvement also stems from our broader commitment to be environmentally safety friendly and sustainable. Addressing this issue is crucial for the progression towards a circular Europe, aligning perfectly with the objectives of our recycling group.