Municipal solid waste disposal at the landfill is the only form of waste management in Georgia. Effective waste management system is essential, as it directly affects environment and human health. Waste management acquires significant role according to international standards, because it is substantial point under the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union.
The State Audit Office examined situation of municipal solid waste management in Georgia and covered problematic issues such as waste transportation-logistics, waste service fees, the old, new and unregistered natural landfills. The audit revealed that:
- Pre-determination of waste quantity does not exist, without the latter composition of optimal waste management plan is not possible.
- Number of waste vehicles on the routes are not distributed in an optimal way in Tbilisi.
- Those municipalities that provide waste services, have no "Billing" system.
- Fee rates are unfounded and do not cover actual costs that are required for cleaning services.
- Despite the companies\'[1] efforts, the old landfills still remain source of constant pollution to environment.
- The competent authority does not monitor compliance of environmental requirements.
- Landfill of Tbilisi was lunched bypassing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures.
- The new landfills (Tbilisi and Rustavi) are constructed in violation of International Aviation Standards.
- Rural areas are not provided with waste collection and disposal services. Accordingly, there are no waste bins and population has to dispose waste in self-selected areas.
- There is no information on the quantity of construction waste, according to which waste treatment and place of disposal should be determined.
- Awareness-raising measures are insufficient, as the measures have neither large-scale nature nor cover all target groups.
During comprehensive study of the solid waste management system, the State Audit Office discovered issues that will help competent authorities establish efficiency of the sector. Based on research, corresponding conclusions and recommendations are issued that respective authorities should take into consideration in order to improve present situation.
