Waste management has become one of the most important pillars of modern environmental policy. In recent years, Georgia has taken a significant step forward by introducing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, creating a new model of shared responsibility between businesses and the state.

The core principle of EPR is simple: companies that place specific products on the market are responsible not only for selling them but also for managing the waste generated after those products reach the end of their life cycle. This approach has been successfully implemented across European Union countries for decades and is now an integral part of Georgia's waste management system.

What Has Changed Since 2022?

Georgia's technical regulations on Extended Producer Responsibility entered into force in 2022. Since then, producers and importers have been required to:

Furthermore, since 1 July 2022, distributors have been prohibited from placing products on the market if the producer is not registered in the EPR registry and is not a member of an authorized EPR organization. This reform marked a new stage of corporate responsibility and established a more transparent waste management system in Georgia.

How Many Producers Are Involved?

Since the introduction of EPR, business participation has grown significantly. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, by 2024 more than 12,800 producers had been registered in the national EPR electronic registry.

Several authorized EPR organizations now operate in Georgia, managing the collection, transportation, and recycling of specific waste streams on behalf of their member companies. One of the first authorized organizations is Tegeta Green Planet, which has been operating since 2022 and manages waste tyres, waste oils, and waste accumulators.

Today, Tegeta Green Planet cooperates with hundreds of companies, bringing together importers and producers in a unified system that enables them to fulfill their environmental responsibilities.

What Results Has the System Delivered?

The implementation of EPR has already produced several important outcomes.

First, it established an official system for recording and managing specific waste streams. Waste that had often ended up in uncontrolled environments is now increasingly managed through an organized system.

In addition, separate waste collection practices have expanded, laying the foundation for the development of recycling infrastructure. According to the Ministry, EPR organizations collected and recycled more than 11,200 tonnes of specific waste in 2023 alone.

Another significant achievement is the shift in business attitudes: companies increasingly view waste management as an integral part of their operations rather than merely a legal obligation.

What Can We Learn from International Experience?

The Extended Producer Responsibility system was first introduced in Europe and now operates successfully in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, and many other EU countries.

International experience shows that EPR:

The European experience clearly demonstrates that the success of EPR depends not only on legislation but also on effective cooperation between businesses, government institutions, and society.

What Challenges Remain?

Despite the progress achieved, several challenges remain for the further development of Georgia's EPR system.

One of the key priorities is increasing participation among businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. Raising public awareness is equally important, as proper waste management begins with consumers.

Further investment in recycling infrastructure is also essential to ensure that as much collected waste as possible is recycled locally and returned to the economy as valuable secondary resources.

The Role of Tegeta Green Planet

Since 2022, Tegeta Green Planet has been one of Georgia's first authorized EPR organizations. Its activities include the collection, transportation, and management of used tyres, waste oils, and waste accumulators in accordance with circular economy principles.

In addition, the organization actively promotes environmental awareness by working with schools, universities, businesses, and international partners. The success of the EPR system depends not only on waste collection but also on building a culture of responsibility and public engagement.

Towards a Circular Economy

The introduction of the EPR system has laid the foundation for a modern waste management model in Georgia. Although the system is still evolving, it is already contributing to environmental protection, increasing corporate responsibility, and supporting the transition to a circular economy.

The more producers, importers, public institutions, and consumers become involved, the more effective the system will be-and the more resources will be returned to the economy instead of becoming waste.