Azerbaijan generates 24–25 kilograms of plastic waste per capita annually
Baku, May 20, AZERTAC
“The annual amount of plastic waste per capita varies across countries. This figure stands at approximately 36 kilograms in European Union nations, averages 20–30 kilograms globally, and reaches around 24–25 kilograms in Azerbaijan,” said Vugar Karimov, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, during an event titled “Tackling Plastic Pollution: Promoting Liveable Cities and a Circular Economy” organized by the ministry within the framework of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
Noting that the import of plastic packaging products in Azerbaijan has increased fivefold, and domestic production has grown approximately 6.3-fold over the past 15 years, the Deputy Minister added that the recycling rate for plastic waste stands at around 35–40 percent in European Union countries, 12 percent in the Asia-Pacific region, and 15 percent in Azerbaijan.
“The processes of plastic production and waste incineration release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This leads to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and intensifies the negative impacts of climate change,” he added.
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