Urgency/Challenges
In Sevan, Armenia, this initiative fosters 'polluter pays' principles and addresses key waste management problems like poor local sorting capacity and limited public awareness. By introducing source-separated waste collection, the project seeks to reduce landfill use and recover recyclables. It also supports better national waste policy and conditions for biogas production.
Contributions
The project has had a significant impact environmentally, economically, and socially. It promotes responsible waste habits, reduces landfill waste, and BUILDS the market for recyclables through a €300,000 investment in infrastructure (1,680 sorting bins and a collection vehicle). The initiative also supports national EPR policy development, empowers the CSO sector, and raises public awareness. Additionally, it has helped local stakeholders draft a roadmap for biogas production.
Success factors
The project's success builds on strong institutional cooperation between the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment, Sevan Municipality, ministries, private sector, CSOs, and media. Key components includes a (simple) two-stream waste-sorting system, technical capacity building, and public and private engagement. The Swedish Waste Management Association also (served as a project advisor) provided advisory services.
Team Sweden
The Sweden-funded Waste Policy Armenia (WPA) program enabled the equipment procurement, technical guidance, and outreach support essential to the project’s launch.
