With EU support Georgia has launched the National Waste Prevention Program

On 6-8 June 2023, within the framework of the EU-funded project “Support to Waste Management and Development of Circular Economy in Georgia”, the National Waste Prevention Program preparation kicked off with engaging consultations with the representatives of the private sector. The three-day event brought together more than 30 representatives of companies and organisations from the food and beverages, construction and vehicles sectors.

The Waste Prevention Program in Georgia aligns with the waste management hierarchy outlined in the EU Waste Management Framework Directive. This comprehensive program encompasses waste prevention, preparing for re-use, and recycling, Through the program, Georgia aims to establish itself as a nation that prioritizes waste prevention and recycling. By adopting a waste management model, the country seeks to foster recycling and encourage a circular economy, thereby mitigating the detrimental impacts on the environment and human health.

The participants discussed the project tasks and objectives, the economy of waste prevention and the advantages of the circular economy, as well as the best examples of circular economy business models. The international expert of the project, Karin Merle, along with the above-mentioned issues, introduced the concept of the European Waste Prevention Program to the participants and presented the best practices of the European Union member states.

• “Within the scope of the project, we are planning to develop a waste prevention plan for Georgia, which will bring the waste management sector closer to European standards and create new opportunities and jobs for the private sector. Georgia can be guided by the best international practices to be able to develop the principles of circular economy at the national level”, noted Karin Merle, the project’s international expert.
• “Waste prevention brings an opportunity to the private sector to reduce cost and manage resources more efficiently, while at the same time creating new opportunities to promote jobs and employment in the reuse and refurbishment of products”, explained Doug Hickman, the project team leader.

Along with the private sector, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia was represented at the meetings as the main beneficiary and key stakeholder of the project. The Head of the Waste and Chemicals Management Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr Alverd Chankseliani, addressed the participants and called for their active involvement:

• “In terms of waste management, Georgia is advancing in our region, and we are also the first country to start working on a waste prevention program. I am deeply convinced that with the involvement of the private sector and international organizations, we will be able to implement the planned measures and activities in order to successfully introduce the principles of circular economy in our country” – Mr Alverd Chankseliani, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.

The project “Support to Waste Management and Development of Circular Economy in Georgia” is initiated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) of Georgia and is implemented by the consortium of COWI (leading organisation) and the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (national partner).