Waste Policy Armenia program Activities
Yerevan, Armenia – On July 6-7, within the scope of Waste Policy Armenia Program, AUA Acopian Center hosted a series of insightful introductory consultations on EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) systems in Armenia by international EPR expert Kyriakos Parpounas.
The aim of two-day sessions by Parpounas was to equip Program stakeholders with valuable insights into effective waste management practices and showcase successful examples of EPR implementation globally. Representatives from the RA Ministry of Environment, Yerevan Municipality, Landscape Gardening and Environment Protection CNPO, as well as from AmCham commerce (The American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia) and several recycling companies were present during the sessions.
During the sessions, Parpounas provided an insightful overview of various EPR models implemented around the world. He further showcased how different countries have tailored their EPE legislations to address specific waste streams and environmental challenges. After the presentations, the participants engaged in discussions concerning various legal and implementation processes related to EPR legislation. They also explored exciting legal frameworks that could potentially intersect with future legislation and addressed concerns about double taxation issues that producers might encounter when introducing ERP measures in the country.
In a separate consultation session with recyclers, Parpounas discussed the potential impact of EPR legislation on their activities. He provided valuable insights and solutions drawn from international practices to help them navigate the changes effectively. Besides the consultations with ministerial representatives, businesses, and recyclers, Mr. Parpounas also met with the WPA program legal team to exchange best international practices in designing EPR legislations.
Overall, the expert’s visit provided a platform for various stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the EPR legislation and its implications, and work towards its successful implementation in Armenia fostering informed decision-making and collaboration.
Sevan, Armenia – On July 4, within the scope of the Seven Waste Sorting Project, the WPA Program team conducted a Citizen Advisory Workshop in Sevan. This project is part of the AUA Acopian Center’s Waste Policy Armenia (WPA) program funded by Sweden and aims to support the municipality of Sevan in increasing public awareness and enhancing the municipal government’s technical knowledge of source separation. Upon achieving progress on key milestones, the Project will provide the municipality with equipment and infrastructure support to roll out the new waste source separation system.
The Citizen Advisory workshop aimed to gather insights into effective awareness campaigns for promoting source separation, impart knowledge on communication strategies, and engage citizens in generating campaign ideas and messages. It emphasized the critical role of the local community in ensuring the project’s success and sustainability. The workshop had a mix of participants of all ages, from young students to retirees, including teachers, business owners, media professionals, CSO representatives and others.
During the workshop, participants were encouraged to share their perspectives and experiences, resulting in valuable suggestions such as incorporating source separation practices into schools to instill responsible waste separation habits among students and their families. Additionally, the importance of tailoring campaigns to different demographic groups, like the elderly and youth, was highlighted. The workshop also focused on gender and human rights issues in implementing the source separation system, emphasizing the need for inclusive communication strategies.
Groups were tasked with choosing strategies for specific groups, such as people with disabilities, to ensure an inclusive source separation system in Sevan. The workshop aimed to strengthen community involvement in the Seven Waste Sorting Project, ensuring that Sevan residents actively participate in shaping the future of waste management in their town.
The collaborative approach adopted in this workshop is part of a broader strategy to involve the community throughout the Seven Waste Sorting project’s implementation. The ideas and perspectives shared by participants will be integrated into the development of public awareness campaigns in Sevan. The project team plans to continue conducting public discussions, citizen advisory workshops, seminars, and capacity-building events to maintain this inclusive approach and ensure the success of the Seven Waste Sorting Project.