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Submitting Draft Technical Regulations for Managing Specific Wastes
More than 150 representatives of private companies engaged in the management of specific wastes, relevant state agencies, donor and civil society organizations attended the consultation meetings, which was held under the initiative of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and with the support of the European Union.
The draft technical regulations on specific waste management projects as a scope of items subject to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) have been presented and discussed by participants at the meeting.
The representatives of MEPA and EU TA project highlighted the importance of EPR in effective management of specific waste streams.
''From year to year the situation in waste management is improving in Georgia. The waste management code is adopted. I would like to underline the EU and international donor organizations support to Georgia. We hope to achieve a tangible progress in waste management in Georgia in the nearest future "said Giorgi Khanishvili, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
The EU TA project experts presented background situation existing in the area of the management of specific wastes, EPR general provisions and draft technical regulations for specific wastes. A discussion was held around given legal documents and concrete comments, including recommendations suggested by stakeholders.
The meetings were organized with the initiative of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA) with the support of the European Union, specifically two EU funded projects: “Technical assistance for the improvement of waste management systems in Georgia” - EuropeAid/138609/DH/SER/GE” (EU TA project) and “EU technical assistance for awareness and communication to improve waste management practices in Georgia and the visibility of EU support to the sector”.
It should be noted, that the Waste Management Code of Georgia introduces the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for specific waste streams which will be enacted from December 2019. According the Code, manufacturers and legal entities who place products onto the market are responsible to ensure the reduction of the negative environmental impacts that may follow the production and use of the products and its waste recovery or disposal. Extended Producer Responsibility is a new concept for Georgia and its introduction requires a relevant legal framework and adequate awareness of the public and private sector.
These streams are as follows: packaging waste (plastic, paper/cardboard, wood, metal, glass), waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), end-of-the life tires (ELTs), end-of-the life vehicles (ELVs), used oils, used batteries and accumulators.