Moldovan authorities launch feasibility studies for waste management in two regions of Moldova

The Ministry of Environment today organized a news conference on the launch of the feasibility study for Waste Management Regions 4 and 7. According to the competent minister, Sergiu Lazarencu, the event marks an important step in the Solid Waste Project in Moldova, aimed at improving national waste management and contributing to environmental protection.

The feasibility studies will identify the most efficient and sustainable solutions for solid waste management in the two regions.

“The issue of waste management has been neglected for decades, reaching a critical situation with litter thrown everywhere. This crisis is the direct result of poor policies and a lack of vision on behalf of previous governments. In the last four years, we have made considerable efforts to clean the country of rubbish, identifying resources from development partners, in order to build the necessary infrastructure,” highlighted Lazarencu.

The feasibility studies, funded as part of the Solid Waste Project in Moldova, will analyze in detail the current waste management situation in regions 4 and 7, covering the districts of Ungheni, Calarasi, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Edinet, Briceni, Donduseni, the municipality of Chisinau, Straseni, Ialoveni, Hancesti, Criuleni, Orhei, Anenii Noi, Balti, Drochia, Rascani, Glodeni, Falesti, Floresti, Soroca, Sangerei, Soldanesti, Rezina, Telenesti and Dubasari. The main goal is to identify the most suitable technologies and infrastructure for the collection, transportation, treatment and final disposal of waste, considering economic, social and environmental aspects.

“This year, we aim to start building waste infrastructure in regions 5 and 8, and the feasibility studies launched today represent a crucial step for extending these efforts into regions 4 and 7. All constructed infrastructure will be managed by regional operators at the mayoralties, ensuring sustainability and efficiency of the waste management system,” said the minister of environment.

Attending the news conference, Stella Renita, the official from the European Investment Bank (EIB) in charge of financing public sector projects in Moldova, said that the feasibility studies for the two areas would cost 1.7 million euros.

It is estimated that the feasibility studies will be completed by the end of 2026 and will be at the basis of the investment decisions in waste management infrastructure in the targeted regions.

“The initiation of these studies reaffirms the commitment of the Ministry of Environment and partners to implement modern and sustainable solutions for waste management in Moldova, with the goal of protecting the environment and improving the quality of life of citizens,” said the EIB representative in our country.

The Moldova Solid Waste project is part of a national effort to improve the waste management system through the regionalization of services in eight areas. Under this project, Moldova benefits from loans amounting to approximately 50 million euros from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank. These funds are meant to finance infrastructure for waste collection, transfer, sorting, composting and disposal, as well as the closure of the present non-compliant landfills.

According to the Ministry of Environment, there are currently over two thousand illegal dumpsites in Moldova.