Pioneering nation-wide waste management in North Macedonia
This case study examines the first nationwide effort to revolutionize waste management practices, moving away from simple waste collection and disposal in non-engineered dumpsites toward a more sustainable, EU-compliant system. The project is vital for creating a modern and integrated solid waste management service across 45 municipalities, significantly improving environmental safety for over 1 million residents.
About
Challenges:
Problems the Project Aims to Address:
• Reliance on non-engineered dumpsites for waste disposal, leading to environmental degradation and health risks.
• Lack of municipal solid waste treatment facilities, resulting in inefficient waste management and increased landfill use.
• Absence of source-separation practices for recyclables and biowaste, limiting recycling rates and increasing waste volumes.
• Non-compliance with EU waste management directives, hindering North Macedonia’s progress towards European integration.
Solutions
Technical Solutions Applied by the Project:
Development of engineered landfills and environmentally safe disposal practices to replace non-engineered dumpsites.
Establishment of municipal solid waste treatment facilities, incorporating technologies for recycling and biowaste treatment.
Introduction of source-separation systems for recyclables and biowaste at the household level, supported by public awareness campaigns.
Impacts
This project is poised to set a new standard for waste management in North Macedonia, transforming the region’s approach to sustainability and positioning it as a leader in environmental stewardship within the Balkans.
- Safe and environmentally friendly disposal of waste for over 1 million residents, reducing the environmental footprint of current practices.
- Significant increase in recycling rates and reduction of waste sent to landfills, fostering a circular economy in North Macedonia.
- Improved public health and environmental quality through the reduction of pollution from non-engineered dumpsites.
- Strengthened alignment with EU environmental regulations across all 45 municipalities involved, , advancing North Macedonia’s integration into the European Union.