YEREVAN, Armenia — From December 1-4, the Sweden-funded Waste Policy Armenia (WPA) program of the American University of Armenia (AUA) Acopian Center for the Environment hosted John Glazebrook, WPA international expert on circular economy and waste management, for a working mission to Armenia. Glazebrook brings more than 20 years of experience across Eastern Europe, where he has supported waste management reforms, led large-scale communication and public awareness initiatives, and advised national and local authorities.
At the start of the mission, Glazebrook participated in a roundtable discussion with media and civil society organizations, focused on the challenges and opportunities for waste reform in Armenia.
Following the roundtable, Glazebrook visited the Kotayk and Gegharkunik Regional Waste Management facility, where he met with the regional company and several member municipalities. He noted significant progress in the operation of Armenia’s first sanitary landfill, including improved compaction practices, the use of a functional weighbridge, and consistent data collection. With daily winter waste inputs averaging around 80 tons, the facility is increasingly positioned to serve as a model for regional waste operations in Armenia.
“Armenia has put in place a strong foundation for modern waste management,” Glazebrook said during the technical consultations. “What stands out is the professionalism and commitment of the regional operator. With targeted investments in sorting and recycling, this system can capture more value from waste, extend landfill lifespan, and demonstrate what integrated waste management can look like in the country.”
Glazebrook highlighted the facility’s early efforts to divert green waste and construction and demolition materials, noting that these streams, if managed separately, could significantly reduce pressure on the landfill. He also emphasized the importance of expanding source-separation systems across the region to support the development of future material recovery activities.
During meetings in the town of Sevan, Glazebrook observed the progress of the town’s source-separation pilot — Armenia’s first comprehensive household recycling system. Residents and local officials reported cleaner urban spaces and high participation rates in the blue-bin recycling system. The quality of separated recyclables, particularly paper, plastics, and metals, remains strong, demonstrating that households respond well when instructions are clear and infrastructure is reliable.
“Sevan is showing what is possible when communities understand and trust the system,” he noted. “The results are already visible, and the city has taken an important first step toward a more circular approach to waste.”
Later in the mission, Glazebrook met with members of the Progressive Youth of Armenia, a civil society group engaged in environmental issues, for an open conversation on waste, air quality, and public health. Participants raised concerns about emissions from the Nubarashen landfill. Drawing on experience from cities facing similar challenges, he explained that open burning at unmanaged landfills poses significant risks and that long-term improvement requires constructing and operating sanitary landfill systems supported by recycling and composting. The meeting also aligned with WPA’s ongoing collaboration with NGOs to raise awareness on waste management and Extended Producer Responsibility.
The mission concluded with consultations with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, during which Glazebrook provided insights on resource-efficient investment planning and the role of integrated systems in strengthening regional waste governance.
“John’s visit reinforces the strong commitment of communities, operators, and institutions working to modernize Armenia’s waste sector,” said Harutyun Alpetyan, WPA program manager at the AUA Acopian Center. “The progress we are seeing in regions like Sevan and across Kotayk and Gegharkunik shows that sustained investment and collaboration are delivering real results on the ground.”
The visit underscored the strong momentum within Armenia’s waste sector, supported by engaged communities, committed operators, and national partners working toward more sustainable and efficient waste management systems.
The AUA Acopian Center for the Environment, a research center of the American University of Armenia (AUA), promotes the protection and restoration of the natural environment through research, education, and community outreach. The AUA Acopian Center’s focus areas include sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity protection and conservation, greening the built environment, sustainable energy, as well as information technology and the environment. Visit http://ace.aua.am.
The Swedish-funded “Waste Policy Armenia” program is implemented by the Acopian Center for the Environment in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment of Armenia and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia. Visit ace.aua.am/projects/waste_policy/.
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