Enviroserve announces launch of e-waste recycling program in Georgia

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Dubai-based electronics recycler- Enviroserve, has announced its plan to launch electronics waste recycling program in Georgia. The first-of-its-kind recycling initiative will be launched in partnership with the Caucasus Environmental Network (CENN) and the Waste Management Technologies in the Regions program (WMTR) and Ecovision’s SPARE Project.

As part of the program, Enviroserve will distribute collection boxes to gather electronic waste, which will be installed in several easy-to-access locations across major Georgian cities. The electronics waste from the collection facilities will be brought together to be shipped to Enviroserve’s full-fledged e-waste recycling centres in Dubai, where they will be treated in safest and most environment-friendly manner. Enviroserve is currently constructing the world’s largest integrated electronics recycling facility in Dubai, capable to process nearly 39,000 tonnes of electronic waste. The commissioning of the new plant will help the company to launch a one-stop regional solution covering the Middle East and East European regions.

Stuart Fleming, CEO of Enviroserve noted that the initiative would help Georgia in meeting the EU directives on environmental controls. The partnership project will benefit Georgian citizens and companies, in its journey towards a healthier, greener Georgia. Fleming reminded that all efforts must be undertaken to handle electronic waste- the fastest growing and the most toxic waste source in the world. Incidentally, electronics waste is a major source of toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc, beryllium, nickel, and brominated flame retardants, all of which can leach into the environment and our bodies.

Meantime, Ekaterine Grigalava, Deputy Minister of the Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia too highlighted the significance of the new partnership. The partnership will assist Georgia in complying with the recycling requirements mentioned in the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

According to sources, the company plans to make significant investment in Georgia for developing innovative recycling solutions to a number of materials including Freon, plastics and metals. The proposed investment will transform Georgia into a regional recycling hub, reports say.

CENN is a non-governmental organization working to protect our environment fostering sustainable development throughout the South Caucuses. It specializes in a number of areas including combating climate change, sustainable management of resources, building and developing healthy and prosperous climate resilient communities, and empowering women and girls to participate in creating inclusive solutions.

WMTR is a Georgian agency that implements pilot projects in selected municipalities to support a cleaner and healthier environment, minimize adverse impacts from waste on human health and natural resources such as air, water, soil, and biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.

The Ecovision’s international School Project for Application of Resources and Energy (SPARE) program in Georgia aims to teach in schools the the principles of energy saving, energy efficiency and sustainable use of natural resources and through schools to society.