Smart Packaging Waste Management
Improper waste management is widespread in North Macedonia and a pressing environmental issue threatening public health and environment. To address it Switzerland engages with Pakomak to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of its packaging waste recovery system1 through digitalization and modernization of packaging waste selection2, collection, sorting, transportation and recycling. These efforts will significantly decrease the amount of waste disposed in landfills and contribute to the Green Agenda.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
North Macedonia |
Climate change and environment Inclusive economic Development
Environmental policy
Urban development |
01.03.2025
- 28.02.2029 |
CHF 1’540’000
|
- Municipalities incentivize packaging waste selection and engage with civil society to increase public awareness
- Private and public institutions are supporting the installation and use of RVMs
- Collection of packaging waste is more effective, efficient and greener (streamlined operation)
- Sorting of packaging waste is further extended (scale), modernised and more efficient (contribution to meeting the set higher targets for PW recovery)
- Pakomak
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GENERAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
OTHER MULTISECTOR
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Environmental policy and administrative management
Urban development and management
Cross-cutting topics The project supports partner organisation improvements as a priority
Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F10855
| Background | The poor management of communal waste in North Macedonia is a pressing environmental topic. The principal responsibility for its management is with the municipalities and their Public Utilities. The provision of waste services is poor due to obsolete and/or lack of equipment and infrastructure, poor management practices and deficient law enforcement. This results in littering, illegal dumpsites and widespread pollution of the environment, posing threats to public health and environment. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law was adopted in 2009 to reduce the amount of waste disposed in landfills, by transferring responsibility for the environmental impact of packaging waste (PW) to its producers and setting recovery targets. PW is among the biggest fraction in communal waste (25%). To date, only about 40% of the PW is collected and recovered, while over 60% still ends up on landfills and/or are dumped illegally in the environment. The lack of landfill disposal fees and “flat fee” for waste disposal for citizens is a disincentive for separate collection and recovery of PW and citizens select waste on voluntary basis. While fulfilling the ERP law requirements is an individual obligation for the producers, in practice they often work collectively to outsource this service by setting up Packaging Recovery Organizations (PROs). These PROs are responsible for meeting PW recovery obligations on behalf of the producers, who in return finance the PROs. Since 2009, five PROs emerged on the market, however until 2025 only Pakomak, managed to demonstrate constant growth and fulfilment of targets holding 48.2% of the market share. |
| Objectives |
Long-term vision: An effective packaging waste recycling system enables the country to reach national targets and in line with the Western Balkans’ Green Agenda. Overall Goal: Pakomak`s packaging waste recovery system is more effective and enables North Macedonia to reach national packaging waste recycling targets. |
| Target groups | Primary target group are over 50 private businesses that are part of the Pakomak network of companies. Main partners are the producers (870+) that are part of the Pakomak ERP scheme, paying for its operation. Local governments will be both partners and beneficiaries, as they will support the system, benefitting from less waste ending up in landfills. End beneficiaries are the citizens who will benefit from cleaner environment |
| Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: Citizens are more aware of the benefits of selecting packaging waste and have improved access to selection packaging waste infrastructures. Outcome 2: The packaging waste collection network is modernized and more efficient. |
| Results |
Expected results: Results from previous phases: 70 RVMs installed in 15 municipalities, with 42.700 active households by 2024. Collected 524 tons of R-PET and aluminum from RVMs, interest from retailers and municipalities to participate gained momentum. Improved management of igloo containers contributed to increase collection of PW by 45% - from 24000t in 2021 to 35`000t in 2024. Smart sensors from igloos allowed for better management, as well as increased transparency contributing to optimized routes for collection, with 2 new vehicles for PW transportation. Private sector and municipalities contributed with CHF 140k in RVMs and green points. Main insights: Improper waste management contributes to degradation of the environment; it also has dire effect on the country’s reputation especially its tourism segment. Awareness raising and education remains key, and the Swiss involvement acts as “proof of quality” for the citizens who often do not select waste due to disbelief in the system. Private sector is willing to coinvest, however they need the PRO as facilitator to help with the maintenance of the system. The EPR scheme is complex, and apart from the selection infrastructure set up by the PRO (visible to the common citizen), the PROs need significant support to strengthen their supply chain dealing with collection, sorting, transport and ultimately recycling. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO |
| Coordination with other projects and actors | SDC: Increasing Market Employability, Strengthening Municipal Resilience to Corruption, Civica, Parliament Support Programme, Electoral Support Programme, Swiss Import Promotion Programme. SECO: Solid Waste Management (EBRD) |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 1’540’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 200’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 1’301’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 2’841’000 |
| Project phases | Phase 2 01.03.2025 - 28.02.2029 (Current phase) Phase 1 01.11.2021 - 31.12.2024 (Completed) |
