Waste Management Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia for the period 2008–2020.

This Waste Management Strategy reflects the national policy in waste management and represents the basis for preparation and implementation of an integrated and cost-effective waste management system. With this strategic document, the Republic of Macedonia defines the fundamental directions in waste management for the coming twelve year period (2008-2020), on the basis of recognition of serious impacts to the living and natural environment caused by improper waste management at present and in the past, and it determines the fundamental directions of the gradual waste management system set-up based on the hierarchy of the main principles of waste management and on the main principles of sustainable use of natural resources. The Waste Management Strategy is a Government resolution, as an executive authority branch, and it predominantly represents the decisions of the Republic of Macedonia on the main environmental, economical and social goals, activities and measures towards mitigating the present environmental impacts and resolving the issues on waste management in the future. Harmonization of legislation with the acquis communautaire as the inevitable process of the Macedonian approach towards membership of European Union represents only a useful tool in the establishment of an efficient and sustainable waste management system. The Waste Management Strategy is a document on the aims and development of measures: with the primary intention of overcoming the unacceptable environmental situation with regard to impacts of improper waste management on the air, water, soil and natural environment as well as public health; with the follow-up intention to reach complete control over generated waste streams, to reduce the waste quantities and hazardous potential, to achieve the optimal material/energy recovery and final disposal of waste by means of the optimal and contemporary system of new infrastructure facilities; and with the final intention to introduce cleaner production technologies and sustainable management of natural resources and waste, as well as to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases arising from waste. Waste simultaneously possesses environmental and economic components. Waste is not only a generator of impacts to the environment, but may also be recovered and reused. All recovery phases of waste fractions usable for the production of new goods or energy represent the preservation of nonrenewable natural resources. Establishment of the functional network of the collection, treatment and disposal facilities, is mainly determined by the dynamics of investments in waste management facilities, by economic and other measures which stimulate investments, and by measures which assure that the operation costs of the entire waste management sector are fully covered according to the “polluter pays principle”. Proper management of biodegradable waste present in municipal waste and in waste from wastewater treatment, in agriculture waste and in waste from the food and beverage industry may significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Goals and objectives in the waste management strategy reflect the generally agreed national policy in waste management and represent the basis for preparation and implementation of an integrated and cost-effective waste management system, which means a tool to bring under control all generated waste streams, to decrease the quantities and hazardous potential of waste generated, to recover the material and energy value of waste, to assure environmentally acceptable final disposal, to prevent the formation of new environmental burdens to be solved by the coming generations and how to remediate existing environmental burdens that exhibit adverse impacts on the environment and public health. Strategic goals shall be harmonized between all segments in the society and in main principles with requirements of the co-operating economic environment, i.e. EU countries. Harmonized goals and objectives of waste management shall be integrated into development plans at the national and local levels and in plans of the predominantly private owned production and service sectors. Overall strategic goals and objectives shall reflect the commitments of all parts of Macedonian society with regard to the significant, equally important and closely interrelated changes in waste management: - harmonization of the policy and legislation on waste management regarding the political agreement in the society and requirements of the co-operating economic environment; - establishment of effective institutional and organizational arrangements in all phases of implementation of the new integrated waste management system: planning, permitting, financing, operating and enforcement; - strengthening human resources and capacity in the public and private sector involved in the establishment process of the waste management system, as well as encouragement and engagement of knowledge, technical know-how and economic potential available in the country; - introduction of stable financial resources and adequate economic mechanisms to assure the full cost recovery of providing for the integrated waste management system according to the "polluter pays" principle and to the maximum effects regarding investment and operational activities; - raising public awareness and awareness of all stakeholders in the society from the viewpoint of understanding their roles, responsibilities and obligations in the waste management process and in the protection of the environment in order to accept significant changes of the waste management practice from collection to the final disposal. - establishing the data collection/information system on the sources, nature, quantities and fate of waste streams as well as on the facilities for material/energy recovery and final disposal of waste and assuring necessary public access; - establishing the contemporary technical waste management system which takes into account different technical options regarding waste avoidance, lowering their hazardous potential and reduction at sources, material/energy recovery and utilization of waste and safe final disposal of stabilized residues according to “best practicable environmental option” with the aim of preservation of non-renewable natural resources and minimal emissions and adverse effect of the waste treatment/disposal processes on the living and natural environment as well as on public health; - application of efficient and cost-effective techniques for the management of segregated waste streams by means of private sector participation to achieve a 100% waste collection rate and optimal level for material/energy recovery of waste; - introduction of landfills for hazardous and non-hazardous waste and other facilities for final disposal of waste compliant with contemporary standards to prevent the appearance of new environmental burdens; - progressive closing down and/or remediation of existing municipal dumpsites and/or industrial “hot-spots” according to the inventory of environmental burdens and corresponding criteria that particularly take into account adverse effects and risks to the environment, future utilization of physical space, costs of rehabilitation, and acceptability by the population.