International Consultant on Circular Economy in The Waste Sector

The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP) is revising the Macedonian Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement of the UNFCCC, supported by the UNDP Climate Promise Initiative. The waste sector is the second largest source of greenhouse gases in North Macedonia, encompassing the following categories: Solid Waste Disposal, Biological Treatment of Solid Waste, Incineration and Open Burning of Waste, and Wastewater Treatment and Discharge. Uncertainly levels in the GHG inventory for the waste sector are high due to difficulties in obtaining accurate data on waste generation and disposal.

Solid waste disposal is the category with the highest share of GHG emissions in this sector. In 2014, approximately 370 kg per capita of communal waste was generated, and 75% of that waste was taken to landfills. The Drisla Landfill, which serves the Skopje region, is the only sanitary landfill in Macedonia. Composting is still at a very early stage, and only 1.945 tonnes of biological waste was composted in 2014. Finally, many Macedonian mining and processing industries that generated hazardous waste have closed down, abandoning their on-site waste dumps with little or no information on the history of these dumpsites. Other key issues include a lack of implementation of existing legislation (new legislation developed, but not yet adopted)  and the absence of waste separation and recycling facilities, including an absence of facilities for vehicle recycling and automotive waste management.

During the preparation of its Second and Third Biennial Update Report (BUR) to the UNFCCC, the country explored the impact of ongoing, planned, and potential measures for climate change mitigation. Waste sector measures include landfill  gas flaring, Mechanical and biological treatment (MBT) in new landfills with composting, waste selection and improved waste and materials management at industrial facilities.

As an EU candidate country, North Macedonia is in the process of transposing the acquis and will be obligated to comply with the Waste Directive and with EU requirements in the area of circular economy. 

In summary, policies and measures for the waste sector must meet three requirements: 1) They must address urgent economic, social, and environmental issues in the waste sector; 2) They must support the move to a low-carbon society and international commitments to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement; and 3) They must support the bilateral process of EU accession.

Objective of the Assignment

The objective of the assignment is to conduct a rapid assessment of the benefits of  Circular Economy in minimizing the use of resource inputs and the creation of waste, pollution and carbon emissions and provide recommendations for improvement of the current situation.

Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Conduct a desk review of current policies and laws related to the waste sector and assess if they create an enabling environment for promotion of circular economy, and how much are they in line with the relevant EU Directives and policies and plans, particularly with the Circular Economy Action Plan of the EU Green Deal;  ;

• Familiarize with the  proposed mitigation measures within the 3rd Biennial Update Report and Revised Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement
• Assess the potential benefits of employing circular system that will minimize the use of resources input, foster sustainable consumption, and decrease the waste, pollution and carbon emissions;
• Identify both Opportunities and Challenges for introduction on Circular Economy focused on mitigation of GHG emission in the Waste Sector on policy and implementation level, based on one of the key actions – less waste more value, applied in three building circular blocks: rethinking product design, innovative business models and reverse logistics; The focus should be put on the sectors that use most resources and where the potential for circularity is high such as: electronics and ICT; batteries and vehicles; packaging; plastics; textiles; construction and buildings; food; water and nutrients;
• Propose ways to empower consumers and public buyers and to make circularity work for people, regions and cities;
• Prepare a rapid assessment report of the benefits of Circular Economy focused on Waste Sector and provide recommendations for the way forward;
• Present the final rapid assessment report and roadmap to relevant stakeholders (on-line, using zoom or other relevant tools)
• Prepare a Policy Brief on the main findings and recommendations for the policymakers.