Head of Recyclers Union on Challenges of Waste Recycling Sector in Armenia

“There are no incentive mechanisms or approaches that would enable the development of the waste recycling sector. The use of recycled materials should also be encouraged,” Vahan Gharibyan, President of Recyclers Union of Armenia, noted.

In Armenia, about 700,000 tons of municipal solid waste are generated annually, most of which is disposed of in unsanitary landfills. According to the  World Bank report, the annual volume of waste is expected to increase in the coming years, reaching 820,000 tons.

According to expert assessments, currently only about 10% of recyclable waste is recycled in Armenia. There is no large-scale recycling plant in the country; instead, there are companies processing specific types of waste. According to official data, Armenia has:

• 5 companies recycling plastic waste

• 9 companies recycling paper waste

• 2 companies recycling glass waste

• 5 companies recycling metal waste

• 3 companies treating hazardous medical waste

• 1 company recycling used automotive tires, oils, filters, and other hazardous waste

• 3 companies engaged in processing other types of hazardous waste

To raise the issues faced by recycling companies and propose solutions, Recyclers Union of Armenia was established in 2024. The Union currently has five members. EcoLur spoke with Vahan Gharibyan about sector challenges, proposed solutions, the draft RA Law “On Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)”, and the expected impacts of introducing the EPR system.

Ecolur:

- What problems currently exist in the waste management sector?

Vahan Gharibyan:

- In Armenia, waste management, as such, does not exist. There are waste generators and waste collectors, but very few recyclers. To some extent, the recycling of paper, metal, and glass is regulated. The rest - plastic, organic, hazardous waste, oils, air filters, tires - are in a chaotic state. You can encounter them everywhere: in nature or accumulated near buildings.

Overall, public attitudes are very poor in this regard - the main concern is simply to get waste out of sight. What happens to that waste afterward is of no interest. All waste is mixed together and disposed of together. It is an uncontrolled situation, often manifested in landfill fires. We know that landfill fires are caused by both human and climatic factors, but if management were proper, we would not experience such consequences.

EcoLur:

- What challenges do recycling companies face?

Vahan Gharibyan:

The Recyclers Union has taken on the role of identifying sector problems. One of the issues is the taxation system. Companies operating in the waste sector are taxed using the same mechanisms and methods as, for example, import-based commercial companies.

There are no incentive mechanisms or approaches that would enable the sector’s development. The use of recycled materials should also be encouraged and integrated into everyday life.

Another issue is the lack of statistical data in our sector — we do not know how many enterprises operate, how much tax they pay, or what their turnover is. We have proposed that our sector be separated and recognized as a distinct recycling sector.

EcoLur:

- What changes could the introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system bring for recyclers?

Vahan Gharibyan:

I see potential challenges mainly for small recycling companies. If they do not expand, they may simply lack raw materials to operate. On the other hand, if the law comes into force, it will serve as an incentive for recyclers to expand, new companies will emerge, and competition will increase. Where there is competition, there is development.

Overall, I see positive trends from the introduction of the EPR system. However, the draft law has been under discussion for 3–4 years. We hope it will come into force in 2027, bringing solutions to this chaotic situation and introducing regulation. The “polluter pays” principle will begin to operate. I am confident that if we choose the right model for Armenia, major changes will follow.

EcoLur:

- Is waste recycling a profitable business?

Vahan Gharibyan:

Where income can be generated, there is already some level of regulation. These are services related to metal, paper, and glass waste. These three types of waste have some value.

However, there are types of plastic that cannot be reused as plastic — they require alternative processing or use. In such cases, the polluter should pay. Currently, since there is no such payment, there is no processing.

What can generate income is already functioning today, but what cannot generate income should be financed by the polluter — and that mechanism does not exist yet.

EcoLur:

- To ensure recycling, waste must first be sorted. How do you assess waste sorting in Armenia?

Vahan Gharibyan:

In Yerevan, waste bins are installed at about 5,000 locations, while sorting bins are available at only 900 locations. We cannot install sorting bins at all 5,000 points — there is simply not enough space.

A different approach is needed, for example: two bins — one for wet waste and one for dry waste, or one for organic and one for non-organic waste. However, this would also require overall sorting capacity to process the non-organic waste.

In other words, current capacities address only a small part of the problem. For real development, there must be either subsidies or a viable business model.

As for the public, I do not believe people are indifferent. When they see positive changes and fairness, they follow. When they see that nothing is happening, they do not feel responsible.

Most of Armenia’s population is concentrated in Yerevan, so the capital and the regions should be treated separately. Waste management should differ between them.

For example, in Yerevan waste is generated in close proximity, while in Syunik Region, where settlements are far apart, waste collection involves significant logistical costs.

At the same time, in Yerevan, in areas with active construction, construction waste accumulates, and there is no solution for large-sized waste. At best, people leave it next to bins. A proper solution would be to establish separate collection points, as in European countries, where such items can be taken by people who cannot afford to buy them — creating a form of reuse mechanism.

EcoLur:

- What changes would you like to see in the waste management sector?

Vahan Gharibyan:

I would like to see a more responsible approach, where people do not simply think about removing waste from their immediate surroundings. The overall environment should become more responsible.

Recycled materials should be encouraged in public procurement, and priority should be given to recycled products. There must be a shift in mindset so that it becomes part of everyday life.

For example, in European countries, products made from recycled materials may be more expensive, yet people still buy them, understanding that they are supporting the recycling sector.