Energy Recovery Potential of Municipal Solid Waste Generated in Georgia

Abstract According to the waste hierarchy, waste recovery is prioritized over landfilling. However, in Georgia, over 90 % of waste is landfilled, causing social, economic, and environmental issues. To ensure sustainable waste management, Waste-to-Energy should complement recycling and reuse efforts. The amount of municipal waste disposed of in landfills has significantly increased. The National Statistics Office of Georgia reports that landfill waste rose from 774.4 thousand tons in 2015 to 1184 thousand tons in 2024. The calorific value of municipal waste in Georgia is crucial for energy recovery. For efficient energy use, waste should have a minimum lower calorific value of 7 MJ/kg. Plastic, paper, and textiles have the highest calorific values. Notably, municipal waste in Georgia contains 13–14 % plastic, 10–11 % paper and cardboard, and over 4 % textiles. However, these materials are essential for recycling, which conserves natural resources and should remain a priority. This paper aims to examine the possibilities for implementing Waste-to-Energy approaches at the municipal level in Georgia. It should be noted that the composition of municipal waste has not been sufficiently studied. The existence of such data is essential for assessing the potential for Waste-to-Energy systems, as well as for improving the effectiveness of planning and implementing municipal waste management. At present, Georgia also faces a lack of experience and technical expertise needed for the introduction of Waste-to-Energy approaches.