Armenian Delegation Visits Serbia to Explore Waste Management and EPR Best Practices
Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from Armenia in Belgrade, Serbia. The study visit was part of a project Improving Waste Policy Implementation in Armenia funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) in Armenia, implemented by the American University of Armenia, with technical support provided by Brooks Hannas & Partners.
Following their visit to Sweden, the Armenian delegation continued their study tour in Serbia to gain deeper insights into waste management practices, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and public communications strategies in the region.
Municipal and Regional Insights: Pirot
The visit began on May 27th in Pirot. We were welcomed by Deputy Mayor Miloš Colic and Bojan Pešić, Head of Department, who provided an overview of the municipality’s role in planning, investments, project implementation, and public communication.
At the Regional Landfill Pirot, Directors of the lanfil Nebojsa Ivanov and technical director Nenad Djordjevic offered the group a hands-on view of the practical aspects of regional waste management operations. They generously addressed questions, shared valuable experiences, and provided practical advice.
Private Sector Perspective: Sekopak
To understand the role of private operators in the system, the delegation visited Sekopak, where hosts Ivana Misic and Daver Salimovic delivered an engaging session. The group learned about Sekopak’s role in developing the packaging waste system, current trends in recycling, key aspects of establishing private operations, the future of Serbia’s deposit system, and expectations related to the new EPR legislation from the perspective of private sector stakeholders.
Communications in Focus: BH Office Session
Recognizing the importance of communication—especially since several delegation members were journalists and PR professionals—we hosted a session at the Brooks Hannas office. Vesna Mijatović from New Moment and John Glazebrook presented the communications strategy used in recent recycling awareness campaigns and shared their expertise on engaging the public effectively in environmental projects.
Public-Private Partnership in Action: Beo Cista Energija
On May 29th, the delegation visited Beo Čista Energija, the modern waste-to-energy facility located on the former Vinca landfill site in Belgrade. Developed through a public-private partnership, the facility is one of the most significant environmental infrastructure projects in the region. The site tour and detailed presentation highlighted the scale of the investment, waste management technologies, and its role in transforming Belgrade’s waste sector.
Policy Dialogue and Experience Sharing: Ministry of Environmental Protection
The final stop of the study visit was the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Assistant Minister Dušan Carkic, along with Dragana Mehandzic, Head of Department for Project Management, Iva Rasovic, project manager, Mirjana Todorovic and Zaklina Karadzic from Waste Department, welcomed the delegation and shared Serbia’s experience in implementing environmental legislation, developing EPR systems, managing large-scale projects, and communicating with the public. The meeting concluded with an open exchange of lessons learned, challenges faced, and practical recommendations for the Armenian context.
