TIRANA, Oct 8 /ATA/ The project for waste separation at source has been successfully completed in Berat, aiming to boost recycling efforts and serve as a successful model to be replicated countrywide.
Prime Minister Edi Rama commended the initiative, supported by both residents and businesses, noting that it has shifted Berat away from the “take-use-dispose” approach toward a circular economy, where waste is transformed into valuable industrial materials.
The Prime Minister highlighted that more than 120 tons of paper and over 8.6 tons of various plastics have been sold through auctions following international standards.
Rama expressed his confidence that the integrated waste management reform will ensure all necessary investments in the Berat region, including sorting plants, composting facilities, wastewater treatment systems, and final disposal sites, thereby permanently eliminating illegal waste dumping.
A few days ago, the project was inspected by the Minister of Environment, Sofjan Jaupaj, along with the Minister of State for Local Government, Ervin Demo.
Minister Jaupaj pointed out that only three weeks ago, Albania began negotiations in Brussels for Chapter 27, which focuses on “Environment and Climate Change.”
He noted that this chapter is one of the most difficult for the Republic of Albania to negotiate, given the critical importance of environmental issues for both Albania and the European Union.
He commended the Berat municipality for its tangible achievements, highlighting that this is the first successful project in Albania focused on separating municipal waste at the source. “Our waste management strategy should start with the separation of municipal waste at the source, followed by building the necessary infrastructure for sorting, containment, and applying all technological processes to significantly reduce the waste sent to landfills,” he added.
Meanwhile, Demo emphasized that recycling is a very important component of waste management.
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