National Integrated Waste Management Plan 2020-2035.

The National Integrated Waste Management Plan is a national policy with a sectoral approach. The timeframe of the policy is 15 years between 2020 and 2035. The overall purpose of this policy is to create a strategic and regulatory framework for integrated waste management with zero-waste principle in line with the objectives of the EU Waste Framework Directive and international agreements, in order to improve the quality of the environment and health of citizens, give additional impetus to the economic and social development of country, as well as pave the way for European integration.
Integrated waste planning and management will be carried out on the basis of waste areas. To this end, feasibility studies will be conducted for all waste management areas providing an optimized funding program and implementation of the integrated facilities network for waste management. The modernization and improvement of waste management infrastructure will be monitored by the National Water Supply and Sewerage Agency. Institutional capacity building will be enhanced to include qualified personnel in waste management and planning. Waste management plans will be drafted at the national and local levels through packaging and prevention program of waste in support of the implementation of this policy. Waste management will be improved through the collection and treatment of waste in an integrated manner with EU standards for the maximum protection of human health and the environment. The differentiated collection scheme of waste will be constructed by all municipalities within the basis of the best financial methods and sectoral standards according to the norms of relevant directives transposed into law. Furthermore, an integrated management system will be established for municipal waste streams based on the waste hierarchy and in accordance with priority levels for the development of the waste management system. Special schemes will be set up for recovery and treatment of tires, batteries, electronic waste, organic waste, end-of-life vehicles, etc. The transport of waste to plants will be promoted for conversion of waste into energy. The budget needs for the cycle of waste management and fees for waste management service will be determined by the Government in cooperation with the municipalities, in accordance with the polluter pays principle. Investments will be directed to the priority projects, including the projects that limit the risk of plastic pollution in surface waters. A hazardous waste data system will be established in accordance with the waste inventory of inherited from existing industries that generate hazardous waste. In addition to that, the industries that generate hazardous waste are obliged to manage hazardous waste and its separation in accordance with legal requirements and guidelines in force. Moreover, public awareness will be raised to promote environmentally responsible behaviour for the waste reduction, reuse and recycling.