WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY EVALUATION

Extended producer commitment is the latest model of waste management followed by almost all developed countries in the world, it means that manufacturers and importers take responsibility for the waste management of products that they produce and / or bring to market. According to the policy announced by the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, the producer will be obliged to collect and recycle the waste separately.

In our opinion, for the proper functioning of waste management policy, it is important for the overnment to share the experience of successful countries and, step by step, to pursue a consistent waste management policy:

• Implementation of an active awareness-raising policy and development of appropriate infrastructure at the municipal level;
• A strategic plan for waste reduction should be developed. Research into the main;
• categories of waste should be conducted to determine which waste predominates;
• Develop and implement a plan to reduce this excess waste accordingly;
• In implementing waste management policy, in order to ensure maximum involvement of producers, it is necessary to encourage business with various tools;
• The state should encourage the establishment of waste processing enterprises as much as possible;
• In order to reduce and manage waste on the part of companies, at the last stage, the state may even introduce some sanctions and even taxes.

Policy planning at the national level and close cooperation / coordination with local authorities are crucial for the successful implementation of the extended producer responsibility. 

To our mind, the development of this policy needs to be stimulated by the government and offer some benefits to the private sector at an early stage. As this policy is a novelty in Georgia, in this process the government should offer producers a consistent action plan to ensure their maximum involvement in law enforcement.

While there is no waste processing plant in the country, it is very important that by implementing this policy, businesses are not hindered and problems are not encountered. The transition to this policy should be gradual and painless.