Recycling

We protect natural resources

“Separation and sorting of valuable materials from waste reduces waste going to the landfill, minimise the usage of natural resources and generates jobs and income in recycling industries”

Recycling moves waste management from linear management to circularity and more sustainability. So, what does it mean – moving from a linear to a circular economy?

We try to explain it here:

Linear Economy

A linear economy traditionally follows the “produce-use-dispose” approach. To put it simply, we take raw materials for processing into products that are thrown away after use. Apparently, this is inefficient, costly and depletes natural resources on a large scale.

Recycling Economy

Only such things which are easy to collect and to recycle are recycled, whilst many other potentially recyclable materials in the waste are still disposed.

Circular Economy

Ultimately, the circular economy is an approach that is more systemic and ambitious than just recycling. Here, the producers’ themselves have adapted their products and packaging in such a way that these materials after use can be transformed into something of equal or even greater value. By extending the life span of products much less raw material are required, thus also reducing emissions and production cost. In addition to improved product design, advanced collection systems and recycling technologies need be introduced to increase added value in waste management.

Our National Integrated Waste Management Strategy in conformity with EU regulations sets ambitious targets towards the circular economy. We as operator of the regional waste management facilities, the municipalities of our Waste Zone as well as our citizens need to contribute their share to achieve these targets. Because this will protect our environment and our health and transform our cities into even more liveable cities.

The first step for us is the introduction of source segregation and separate collection of recyclable materials. After the separate collection of the dry recyclables, they are further sorted and processed in a material recovery facility (MRF) in Sheristë to prepare them for recycling.