Solid Waste Recycling Issues in Georgia

Abstract

Georgia has made many commitments by signing the Association Agreement with the European Union, including the development of an effective waste management program. Waste management policies should include issues such as: waste management, landfills, identification and classification of waste facilities, urban wastewater treatment and more. There are four types of waste: household waste; Medical waste; Biological waste and industrial waste. Each type of waste can cause great harm to the environment. The medical and industrial waste are especially dangerous. About 5-10 thousand tons of medical waste are generated in Georgia. There is less waste planning opportunities and experience at the municipal level. In small towns and rural settlements, there are not enough garbage collection containers and garbage trucks. With the economic development of the country, the amount of waste generated and collected is increasing. Like developing countries, solid waste management in Georgia is associated with challenges of national, regional and local importance, as well as financial and environmental problems. The important steps have been taken in recent years to rectify the situation: a system for the safe disposal of municipal waste in a landfill environment and health has been established in Tbilisi and the regions. There is less waste planning opportunities and experience at the municipal level. In small towns and rural settlements, there are not enough garbage collection containers and garbage trucks. With the economic development of the country, the amount of waste generated and collected is increasing. The Work has already begun on arranging new landfills. The Waste Management Code, accompanying by-laws, the National Waste Management Strategy (2016-2030) and the National Waste Management Action Plan have made it the preferred course for Georgia to become a country focused on waste prevention and recycling. Despite the positive changes, according to experts on the issue, the country still has a long way to go to achieve this goal. Several factors are particularly challenging: 1. Incentive mechanisms for waste prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery are being developed; 2. Waste processing companies should be established or strengthened; 3. Effective mechanisms for waste management costs (both for citizens and companies) to be developed; 4. An extended producer obligation should be introduced, which implies the responsibility of the producer and / or importer for the collection and treatment of specific wastes hazardous to humans and health. Key words: Solid waste, Garbage processing plants, Household waste, Medical waste, Biological waste, Industrial waste.