Strategic Framework – National Waste Management Action Plan 2022-2026 for moving Zero Waste agenda and Circular Economy approaches forward is launched in Georgia
On May 27, the National Waste Management Action Plan 2022-2026 of Georgia was presented and agreed upon with over 50 national stakeholders at the conference hall of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. The meeting provided an opportunity to gather all relevant stakeholder which include, the representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Parliament of Georgia, the Solid Waste Management Company, municipalities, the United Nations Environment Program and the Caucasus Regional Environmental Center.
Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Solomon Pavliashvili commenced the meeting by stating, “Georgia is the country that really deserves to be in European family, in this regard, the intent and ambitious objective of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture to harmonize our national waste management system to the EU waste management directives is well reflected in the National Waste Management Action Plan 2022-2026.”
Representative of the United Nations Environmental Programme, Mr. Bruno Pozzi attended the meeting, mentioning, “UNEP is supporting Georgia towards taking steps for a Circular Economy to fulfill the country’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, through development of comprehensive sustainable waste management policies. I would like to thank partners of EU, especially the delegation in Georgia, for the political support and financial inputs that they give to the project. I believe that this updated National Strategy and new Waste Management Action Plan can shift the economy of Georgia. I hope that implementation of the strategy and action plan can give you opportunities to enhance the business model, to make it more innovative, to create green jobs, and inspire citizens on more sustainable lifestyles.”
Specifically, the NWAMP 2022-2026 includes 13 targets with additions of biodegradable waste treatment and prevention measures, hazardous waste management goals and objectives, measures related to the prevention and reduction of plastics, and implementation of Extended Producers Responsibility. Georgia’s commitment to sustainable development and its continuous efforts in addressing waste management challenges are validated with the aforesaid targets.
In accompaniment to the finalization of National Waste Management Action Plan 2022-2026, closure of all municipal landfills are expected, which will later be replaced by a singular regional landfill. Moreover, all waste management plans for municipalities will be updated by 2023. To aid with following the waste hierarchy, two biodegradable waste composting projects will take place. For the betterment of data collection on waste, an integrated user-friendly e-waste management database shall be built. Moreover, the overall improvement of hazardous waste management will occur through updating as well as implementing disposal facilities by 2026. The potential gains are immense with the NWAMP 2022-2026, which shall launch Georgia’s move towards a circular economy even further.
