Azerbaijan's solid waste strategy to be soon drafted

The main directions of the national solid waste strategy in Azerbaijan will be determined by summer, Economic Development Ministry official Sahil Babayev told media today.

The first results of studying the waste management situation, held by the Danish company COWI in three cities and three regions, have been submitted today.

Babayev said that a document will be prepared by June-July on the basis of the results of these studies. It will determine the directions of a national strategy for managing solid waste.

"After the directions are determined, the government will prepare a strategy," Babayev said.

He said that while preparing the strategy, a common approach in this area will be ensured. "The discussions will be continued with international financial institutions this year and 2013," Babayev said.

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Attracting private companies will be one of the components of a national strategy for managing municipal solid waste, the head of the department in the Ministry of Economic Development Sahil Babayev told reporters on Thursday.

"Now the government is working to create an industrial recycling park near the Balakhani landfill. Creation of such a park will be a great incentive for private sector development in the field of recycling," Babayev said.

He added that the country will provide a base for the implementation of cooperative projects between the government and the private sector in waste collection and disposal."The base is open to all investors, both local and foreign," Babayev said.

The main direction of the national strategy for managing solid waste in Azerbaijan will be determined by the summer of this year, after which the government will begin preparation.