TAKE-BACK SYSTEM FOR DISCARDED INSULATING GLASS UNITS CONTAINING PCB
Domestic producers and importers of insulating glass units must participate in a take-back system
Between 1965 and 1975 windows and doors with insulating glass units containing PCB, were used in buildings in Norway. PCB is carcinogenic and a hazard that may directly or indirectly damage humans and the environment. PCB will not naturally biodegrade, and must be collected and appropriately treated.
Safe management of discarded insulating glass units containing PCB, is a resposibility for producers. This includes companies that manufacture insulating glass units, as well as those that import such units or products containing them into Norway. All domestic producers and importers are obliged to participate in a take-back system approved by the environmental authorities. More information about how you as a domestic producer or importer can meet the requirements given in the Waste Regulation is found here. (An unofficial translation of the Norwegian Waste Regulations is found here).
Ruteretur AS – Approved take-back system for discarded insulating glass units containing PCB
Ruteretur AS operates an approved, nationwide take-back system for discarded insulating glass units containing PCB in Norway. Ruteretur was established by an agreement signed between the Ministry of the Environment and five industrial organizations 3. June 2002. Ruteretur is owned by five organizations, each holding an equal share of 20 percent:
Ruteretur AS is a non-profit organization. None of the owners are permitted to withdraw profits from the company. Ruteretur is mandated to develop, operate, manage, monitor and organize a cost-effective, nationwide take-back system for discarded insulating glass units containing PCB, in accordance with the requirements of Chapters 11 and 14 in the Norwegian Waste Regulation.
The take-back system collects, handles and treats discarded insulating glass units containing PCB. Ruteretur AS has agreements with the majority of municipalities in Norway to receive and separate insulating glass units containing PCB. There are about 350 of such collection points.
Norsk Gjenvinning AS, under contract with Ruteretur AS, collects these units from the municipal collection points and from their own 18 regional collection points. Norsk Gjenvinning AS separates the glass and the frames. The glass goes to recycling and the frames containing the PCB-sealants are incinerated in high temperature rotary kilns with the breakdown of PCB and recovery of energy.
PCB – a hazard that may directly or indirectly damage humans and the environment
PCB is short for polychlorinated biphenyls. PCB is carcinogenic and can harm the skin, the liver and the nervous system, as well as lead to birth deformities. PCB does not naturally biodegrade, and will be stored in the fat tissue of living organisms.
PCB source – Older sealed double glazing windows
Between 1965 and 1975 more than 2 million windows with insulating glass units containing PCB, were used in buildings in Norway. The sealant contains about 70 grams of PCB in each window. If not handled correctly, a PCB window could contaminate approximately 12 acres of land, rendering it unsuitable for housing purposes.
As long as the insulating glass units remain intact and installed within window frames, they do not pose any risk to human health or the environment. PCB can be released when the glazing units are removed. Insulating glass units containing PCB are classified as hazardous waste. This leaflet gives information on PCB in insulating glass units and how they should be handled.
The obligations of domestic producers and importers of insulating glass units
All domestic producers and importers of insulating glass units or products where sealed glazing is included, have obligations laid down in the Norwegian Waste Regulation.
Their obligations are:
- They have a duty to ensure that any holder of discarded windows containing PCB, may deliver these to a take-back system for appropriate treatment, on payment of a fee not exceeding the normal price for ordinary waste.
- They shall provide adequate information on the take-back system and on proper treatment of insulating glass units containing PCB and where such units can be delivered.
- They shall, unsolicited, provide their customers with information on which units may contain PCB.
Producers and importers can only meet their duties by being a member of a take-back system approved by the Norwegian Environment Agency. Being a member of Ruteretur AS involves an environmental fee to Ruteretur AS. The environmental fee is currently NOK 11, – exclusive VAT for each insulating glass unit put on the Norwegian marked.
Participants in the take-back system
The first stakeholder in the value chain, i.e. the domestic producer or importer to the Norwegian market of insulating glass units and products containing insulating glass units (facades, windows, doors, etc.) is responsible for participating in the take-back system.
The participants in Ruteretur AS have signed a standard agreement with Ruteretur AS. The standard agreement document for membership in Ruteretur AS, may be downloaded here. The participants will pay an environmental fee. The fee may be continued throughout the value chain to the end user / customer.
Report form for fee
All participants shall on a monthly basis (by the 15th in the following month) report the amount of produced/imported insulating glass units and units in products put on the Norwegian marked. The completed fee form is the basis for a monthly invoice from the Ruteretur AS.
The report form can be downloaded here and submitted by e-mail to ruteretur@nomiko.no. Alternatively, you may fill out the form and send it by clicking here. The report form can also be printed and sent by regular mail.
The fee is NOK 11,- per unit exclusive VAT, but the payment will include VAT. A window with two units will have a total fee of: 2×11 = 22 NOK exclusive VAT.
The environmental fee is used to operate the take-back system
The environmental fee will finance an effective operation of the take back system in compliance with the requirements in the Norwegian Waste Regulation and conditions in the approval document.
Where to deliver discarded insulating glass units containing PCB
Discarded insulating glass units containing PCB can be delivered to the local municipal collection point or directly to a regional collection point. Municipalities are obligated to accept discarded insulating glass units containing PCB from private households free of charge. For commercial customers, the maximum allowable fee for delivering insulating glass units is NOK 1 700 per tonne, excluding VAT.
Contact information
Ruteretur AS c/o Nomiko AS
Grenseveien 107, N-0663 Oslo, Norway
E-mail: ruteretur@nomiko.no
Website: www.ruteretur.no