For years, the neighboring countries of Albania and Greece have collaborated in areas of labour market, tourism and energy. This Good Practice Article highlights the countries’ recent combined attempts at tackling their significantly low levels of sustainable waste management. 

WHAT

Greek and Albanian mutual efforts led to the creation of the WASTE RREACT project, officially known as “Integrated waste management facilities for boosting recycling and composting in 7 Regions through cross-border activities”, aiming to address the waste management challenges of both countries. The project focused on increasing recycling and composting rates by implementing various waste management facilities and activities across seven regions. Key initiatives included the construction of composting plants, the establishment of green points for recyclables, the introduction of separate collection schemes in schools and tourist areas, and the creation of an online waste monitoring platform. 

To achieve its objectives, the project employed various strategies, such as constructing a composting plant for source-separated biowaste in Arta, in the Region of Epirus, and setting up green points in different locations for the collection of recyclable materials. Separate collection systems were introduced in schools and tourist areas in Albania, and a waste monitoring platform was developed to track waste management initiatives and municipality performance. Technical guidelines and an extensive environmental awareness campaign targeting schools, local businesses, and citizens were implemented to promote waste management best practices.

HOW

The Total Budget was €3.9M and was co-financed by 85% through the INTERREG V-A Greece Albania 2014-2020 Programme Period.

WHERE

The WASTE RREACT project was a cross-border initiative that operated in seven regions spanning Greece and Albania. These regions included Epirus, Western Macedonia, and the Ionian Islands in Greece, and Gjirokaster, Korce, Vlore and Berat in Albania. 

WHO

The project brought together a partnership of various organizations and stakeholders. The lead partner was the Region of Epirus, with participation from other organizations, including Waste Management of Western Macedonia S.A., the Regional Councils of Ionian Islands, Berat, Gjirokastër, Vlore, and Korca, and the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas/Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute.

RESULTS

The WASTE RREACT project achieved several significant results, and continues to, in the following areas:

Infrastructure:

• Created a composting plant treating 4.000tn of biowaste
• 5 Green points for the recycling/reuse of 9 separate materials in Greece and 4 collection schemes in Albanian schools.

Awareness Raising:

• Development of waste management & monitoring guidelines for the involved regions
• Initiated a student video contest “Recycling and Natural Protection”
• Indirect benefits of the project’s awareness campaign reaching over 200.000 inhabitants are expected to lead to the sustainable treatment of more than 10.000tn of solid waste (through composting or recycling).

Find out more information on the WASTE RREACT Project’s website!