Azerbaijan develops strategy for waste recycling in Karabakh

A Regional Strategy has been prepared to create modern waste collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructure in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh, said Mukhtar Babayev, Ecology and Natural Resources Minister of Azerbaijan and President-designate of COP29, Report informs.

Babayev made the remark during his speech at the "Green World Solidarity: Waste to Value for a Sustainable Future" International Forum

According to him, manufacturing enterprises also have a great responsibility for proper waste management.

"The extended producer responsibility (EPR) concept includes the producer's responsibility at all stages of the product's life cycle. It involves product design, manufacture, use, and finally, management as waste. In Azerbaijan, the legislative framework is being improved to implement this mechanism," he stated.

The minister also pointed out that work is underway on establishing a modern waste management system in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.

Babayev noted that it is an important part of the reconstruction process: “Creation of modern waste collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure in Karabakh is one of our main priorities. Regional Strategy has been prepared for this goal."

The minister emphasized that a lot of construction and demolition waste was created as a result of the destruction of buildings and structures during the occupation.

He added that it is crucial to manage these wastes in a modern way and reuse them as raw materials. Pilot projects are underway in the Aghdam district to restore villages. The private sector’s involvement is vital due to ongoing intensive reconstruction efforts.