Circular Economy and Waste Management in Georgia: Policy Challenges and Pathways for Reform

Abstract

Advancing a circular economy in Georgia presents a significant challenge and opportunity for the country's environmental and economic policy-making. This article explores the significance of the circular economy within Georgia’s broader sustainable development agenda, paying particular attention to the evaluation of national waste management policies. The Association Agreement (AA) between Georgia and the European Union has played a vital role in promoting waste and chemical management reforms, contributing to the development of national strategies and strengthening the legislative framework. The paper analyses Georgia’s progress in waste management and identifies the key obstacles that continue to hinder full alignment with EU standards. While meaningful progress has been made, the establishment of a comprehensive, EU-compliant system is still incomplete. The assessment highlights persistent gaps in political commitment, institutional capacity, financial resources and legal enforcement, including limited regulatory and monitoring mechanisms, a lack of personnel within the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA), and insufficient financial resources. Other barriers include the inadequate implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, limited waste-including specific waste-recycling performance, lack of technological innovations and insufficient waste processing infrastructure. Nevertheless, the study also identifies opportunities and proposes policy recommendations to improve the effectiveness of Georgia’s waste management system by incorporating circular economy principles. These recommendations aim to facilitate the country’s transition towards a more sustainable, resource-efficient, cost-effective and resilient waste management System.