Waste management requires joint attention and action, but without reliable and consistent data there are no quality plans, tangible progress and a sustainable system, which is why it is necessary to develop a national database, strengthen digital infrastructure and educate local communities.
This is the assessment from the conference "Improving the data collection system in the field of waste management in Montenegro", which was organized by the Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Development of the North, with the financial support of the Embassy of France, as part of the PUMP Montenegro project .
The director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Milan Gazdić, pointed out that through the new Law on Waste Management, numerous newspapers will be introduced, which will enable more efficient collection and management of data on waste, PR Center reports.
"I believe that this workshop will provide important insights and that together we will take a significant step towards improving waste management and preserving the environment in Montenegro," said Gazdić.
The Ambassador of France in Montenegro, Anne-Marie Maske, said that waste management is a key issue that requires joint attention and action, but without reliable and consistent data, there is no possible and tangible progress.
"In France, we have made significant progress in waste management and implemented various policies to address this issue. Our government has set ambitious targets for recycling and waste reduction, and we have seen positive results in recent years. We have also implemented measures to reduce plastic pollution, such as banning the use of single-use plastics and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives," said Maske.
However, much still needs to be done, both in France and globally, because, as she asserted, the issue of waste management is complex and requires cooperation between governments, businesses and citizens.
"France and Costa Rica are also working together to build a strong coalition of countries on the way to a Global Plastic Ban Agreement, which will be the focus of the next United Nations Ocean Summit, to be held in Nice next June. By sharing best practices and working together, we can make a significant difference in fighting pollution and protecting our environment. Together we can create a more sustainable future for our planet", is the message of the Mask.
Director of Zero Waste Montenegro Vanja Cicmil said that the main problems in Montenegro are the lack of infrastructure, illegal landfills in almost every municipality, inadequate and incomplete data on waste, environmental pollution, which is becoming a public health problem.
"In order to be able to plan a waste management system or any strategy, we must have data on the basis of which we will plan. Now it is not possible to check the accuracy of the data submitted by municipalities and utility companies to the Environmental Protection Agency. There is a lack of data that is very important, especially when it comes to different types of waste, waste that ends up in landfills, but also outside landfills. Also, inconsistent data makes it difficult to make decisions," explained Cicmil.
She pointed out that it is necessary to develop a national database, strengthen digital infrastructure and educate local communities.
"Accurate data means quality plans, reducing waste and increasing the rate of recycling, creating a sustainable waste management system. In order to have this data, it is necessary to define waste streams, assess the quantity and quality of waste collected, collect data in the field, and cooperate with local communities," said Cicmil.
Head of the Department for Waste Management Jasmina Janković pointed out that a step forward was made in the area of environmental protection, the legislative framework was improved and the new Law on Waste Management was adopted.
"On the territory of Montenegro, we currently have two regional sanitary landfills, namely the Livada landfill in Podgorica and the Možura landfill in Bar. In addition, we have 17 temporary landfills and 346 illegal waste disposal sites. With the new Law on Waste Management, we wanted to create the conditions for a circular economy, which implies the efficient use of natural resources, which will enable companies to be more innovative in business. The principles of the circular economy are to create as little waste as possible, and even if it is created, it should be used later to create secondary raw materials and new products," explained Janković.
One of the novelties in the Law is the establishment of a system of extended responsibility, which means that importers, that is, producers are responsible for the complete life cycle of the product, and control will be carried out by the market and environmental inspection.
"Products that are covered by the system of extended liability are packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and accumulators, scrap vehicles and scrap tires, single-use plastic products and fishing tools that contain plastic," said Janković.
She announced that from October 20, the use of light plastic bags with a wall thickness of 15 to 50 microns will be prohibited, as well as the use of single-use plastic, and one of the novelties in the Law is the payment of a special fee for the disposal of mixed municipal waste at landfills.
"A special segment of the Law is dedicated to the information system, because if we do not have adequate data, we cannot adequately create future policies when it comes to waste management. High environmental awareness among citizens is also very important, because without it good results cannot be achieved," said Janković.
The law on waste management, as she stated, provides for the formation of the State Municipal Inspection, which will control the implementation of local waste management plans.
"The state plan on waste management is currently in the revision phase, and it foresees four regional centers for waste management - two already exist, and two are planned for the north. As a candidate country for EU membership, Montenegro has the obligation to establish a functional integrated waste management system, and this goal is considered a priority. We believe that with the National Plan and the construction of regional centers, we will significantly solve the problems of illegal waste disposal", Janković is convinced.
Bonus video:
