New waste management code comes into force in December
What should manufacturers in Georgia know?

All manufacturers in Georgia who place a product onto the market will be obliged to reduce negative environmental impact that may follow its production, use, waste recovery or disposal.

This will be regulated by the new Waste Management Code that was adopted in Georgia in 2014 and enters into force from December 1, 2019.

The Waste Management Code is in compliance with the Extended Producers’ Responsibility, which is a new concept for Georgia.

150 people from international and donor organisations, private sector, chambers of commerce and business associations attended the presentation of the new Extended Producers’ Responsibility concept today. Photo: Ministry of Environment. 

From December 2019 the manufacturers will be obliged to take care of: packaging waste (plastic, paper, cardboard, wood, metal, glass), electronic equipment, tires and transport taken from the consumption, used oils, used batteries and accumulators.

About 900,000 tonnes of municipal waste is created in Georgia annually, announced the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.

This waste contains up to 1000 non-hazardous and hazardous substances which pose a threat to human health and environment. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach to waste management successfully implemented throughout Europe. Under this tool, the producers and importers take a responsibility for the proper collection and treatment of specific waste", read the press release published by the EU Delegation to Georgia. 

As this concept requires adequate awareness of the public and private sector the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia started meetings with the private sector to introduce the upcoming regulations.