Towards Osaka Blue Ocean Vision - G20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter

Republic of Azerbaijan

Actions and Progress on Marine Plastic Litter
Last Update : 2021/02/01

Policy framework

National Action Plan

  • National Action Plan on “Reducing the negative impact of plastic packaging waste on environment in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2020 years” was approved by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (dated 7 February 2019, No935) and appropriate measures are taken towards the implementation.
  • National Strategy on “Improvement of solid waste management in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2018-2022 years” was approved by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (dated 1 November 2018, No637).
  • Development Concept on “Azerbaijan 2020: Look for future” was approved by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (dated 29 December 2012, No800).
  • National strategy on “Hazardous waste management in Azerbaijan” was approved by the Decision of Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan (dated 25 August 2004, No117).

Legal framework

  • Draft law on “Packaging and circulation of packaging wastes” has been developed. It is currently under consideration by the relevant authorities.
  • Decision on “Amendments to the Rules for cleaning the territory of cities and other settlements in accordance with sanitary, hygienic and environmental standards, temporary storage, regular transportation and disposal of household wastes” entered into force on 22 May 2020.
  • Order on “Establishment of Balakhani Industrial Park in Baku” was approved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
  • Laws on “Production and household wastes”, “Environmental safety” and “Environmental protection” were approved accordingly in 1998 and 1999 years.

Indicators

  • Improvement of plastic package waste management;
  • Strengthening the recycling system;
  • Expanding the use of alternative packaging materials;
  • Harmonization of legislation with international law;
  • Awareness raising.

Measures

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Yes
Reduce single use plastic (shopping bag, strew etc.) by regulations or voluntary measures Yes
Restrict microbeads for cosmetics etc. No
Improve waste management recycling system Yes
Clean-up activity at rivers and coasts Yes
Actions on fishing gear Yes
Capturing trap/filter on drainage/river Yes
Promotion of innovative solutions Yes
Multi-stakeholder involvement and awareness raising Yes
Sharing scientific information and knowledge: R&D and Monitoring Yes
Participate in international cooperation through international organizations, multi-national groups, etc. Yes
Target region supported by your international cooperation initiatives/projects: Southeast Asia No
Target region supported by your international cooperation initiatives/projects: Africa No
Target region supported by your international cooperation initiatives/projects: Latin America No

Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation

Draft laws on “Harmonization of plastic waste management to international practice” and “Banning the import, production and sale of single use plastics” were agreed with appropriate bodies and submitted to the Government for approval. As a result of measures taken to expand the use of alternative packaging, the interest of the private sector in this area has increased. Assessment of the construction of bioplastic production plant has been launched in the country. Regular measures have been taken to raise environmental awareness. Target groups were identified and brochures, posters, books, materials for educational institutions were published. Workshops, flash mobs, seminars and other regular meetings were organized in the media. Events and calls for enhancement of use of alternative bags were organized in the markets.

Environmentally sound waste management and cleanup of marine plastic litter

  • Stimulating and supportive measures have been taken to strengthen the recycling system. Balakhani Industrial Park was put into operation to create favorable conditions for recycling. Resident entrepreneurs of the park can benefit from tax, customs, import, rent and utility concessions.
  • Enlightening events and competitions on cleaning of coastal areas from plastic waste were organized with the participation of local authorities, students, schoolchildren, civil society institutions.
  • Microplastics were collected and evaluated on the shores of the Caspian Sea with the initiative of the “Ruzgar” Ecological Public Union.

Promotion of innovative solutions

  • Application of the best available technologies in the field of recycling;
  • Supporting the private sector in the recycling sector;
  • Expansion of alternative packaging production.

Multi-stakeholder involvement and awareness raising

  • International experts have been invited to apply the Extended Producer Responsibility Model in the country, which is a platform for recycling. An extensive conference was held on November 15, 2019 with the participation of manufacturers, recycling companies, consulting companies, NGOs, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders. International experts were assessed the proposals of the stakeholders.
  • A large-scale propaganda campaign was held in connection with the violation of the ecological balance by plastic packaging waste. Informative materials on negative impact of plastic waste on environment, reduction of such impacts, and the importance of use of alternative packaging materials were prepared and disseminated.

Sharing scientific information and knowledge: R&D and Monitoring

Bachelor and master theses on plastic waste management, recycling, challenges and difficulties were performed within the cooperation with universities.

Promotion of international cooperation

  • The experience of leading countries in the field of plastic packaging waste management, including the organization of collection, segregation, transportation and recycling processes were studied and a comparative analysis was conducted on the basis of these experiences, acceptable options were selected for the country.
  • The current situation in this field was analyzed and proposals were prepared with involvement of international experts.

Achievements

Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation

Production of alternative packaging (paper, textile) has been launched as a result of the measures taken and awareness-raising activities. New enterprises were established. Sales of textile, paper and bioplastic products, that replace plastic packaging, have expanded.
The situation is improving compared to FY2019.

Environmentally sound waste management and cleanup of marine plastic litter

Waste management (suitable for recycling) was strengthened, the potential of recycling facilities has increased and new enterprises were established.
The situation is improving compared to FY2019.

Promotion of innovative solutions

  • Private sector participation in bioplastic production;
  • Establishment of paper packaging enterprises;
  • Printing of additional supporting materials for use in general education institutions.

The situation is improving compared to FY2019.

Multi-stakeholder involvement and awareness raising

  • Videos and other educational and awareness rising materials are regularly posted on the social media, including the Ministry's Facebook account. A flash mob was held with the call "Let's say no to plastic waste."
  • Awareness-raising events were organized and coastal (beach) areas have been cleaned up with the participation of representatives of Embassies, Government agencies and civil society institutions in the country in order to increase public awareness on this issue.
  • Regional meetings were held with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Local Executive Authorities in all regions of the country.
  • Supporting materials are being prepared for the education of the "Knowledge of Life" subject at general education level in Azerbaijan.
  • Information booklet on waste segregation was published for schoolchildren with the support of the German Organization for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The situation is improving compared to FY2019.

Sharing scientific information and knowledge: R&D and Monitoring

  • Workshops and trainings were held for students.
  • Cooperation with educational institutions has been established for the purpose of joint implementation of projects, on the basis of proposals prepared for the organization of competitions and practical tasks in various formats.
  • Methodical recommendation on "Formation of ecological culture in students" have been prepared by the teachers of the Institute of Pedagogy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
  • Leaflet on “The negative impact of plastic packaging waste on the environment and the importance of using of alternative packaging materials” and Electronic Poster with the same theme have been posted at the Institute.

Promotion of international cooperation

  • Study tours were organized to Austria, Japan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for gaining the best international experience. Workshops were held by inviting the international experts from Austria, Sweden, Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia with the participation of stakeholders and civil society.

Challenges

  • Improvement of plastic and solid waste management have not been completed.
  • Pilot projects on segregation are implemented in separate regions, however full process is not applied yet across the country.
  • Effective management, collection and recycling of plastic waste is not fully functional due to non-implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility mechanism. The system of packaging and recycling of packaging waste (the project is in the negotiation stage) has not been established.

Best practices

National level

  • Application of the Extended Producer Responsibility and the draft Law on “Packaging and Circulation of Packaging Waste” is under negotiation.
  • Draft Law on Single use plastics bans have been submitted to the Government for approval.

Local level

Increasing the recycling potential, application of bioplastic production and expansion of alternative packaging production.

Private sector

  • Investments are being made in the production of alternative packaging; the recycling market is being expanded. Implementation of pilot projects is supported.
  • Plastic packages collected in special containers located in parks, residential areas, universities are recycled within the pilot Project “My clean country”, jointly implemented by the Coca-Cola Company, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy.

International cooperation

  • Regional Project on “Addressing marine litter in the Caspian Sea region” was implemented within the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention). The main objective of the Project is to establish a sound network for addressing the marine litter and promoting cooperation of the relevant stakeholders as well as to develop a Caspian Marine Litter Action Plan to prevent and reduce marine litter in the Caspian Sea.
  • An online course on marine litter was organized under the project and by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as well.
  • As a result of this project, the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter of the Caspian Sea was prepared and submitted to the Tehran Convention Secretariat. The draft plan is expected to be approved at the Conference of the Parties to the Tehran Convention.
  • EU4 Environment project of the EU aims to support the development of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes.

Further information

Contact details

s.ibadova@eco.gov.az
m.nabiyev@eco.gov.az
faig.mutallimov@eco.gov.az

Recent Meeting

Latest News