Waste is not only harmful for the environment and human health but it also creates an economic loss. In Mongolia, we do not have a recycling system in place, therefore, almost all waste is collected and dumped at unofficial and uncontrolled landfills, after which it is burned.

“Аbout 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced every year. That’s nearly equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. This is why the EU-funded project is helping to reduce the harmful effects of plastics and focusing on establishing an effective waste management system in Mongolia" says H.E. Ms. Axelle Nicaise, the Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia during the high-level mission meeting in Bulgan province.

A mission team consisting of H.E. Ms. Axelle Nicaise, the Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia, H.E. Mr. Jan Vytopil, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Mongolia and H.E. Mr. Krzysztof Bojko, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Mongolia is traveling to Bulgan province. The purpose of the mission is to visit the sites of the project “Sustainable Plastic Recycling in Mongolia” (SPRIM) in Khishig-Undur soum, Bulgan province and to see the interventions of the project.

On 14 March, the mission team met with Bulgan governor Mr. Ariun-Erdene B. and the representatives of government agencies and closely discussed priority areas of the respective organizations and potential future cooperation. Ambassador Nicaise insisted on the full support of local authorities for the proper implementation of the SPRIM project.

“Local authorities' active participation and ownership is crucial for this project. We expect that Bulgan province will become a model province to have an efficient waste management system after the implementation of the project. As a result, other provinces can duplicate good practices from the Bulgan province”, says H.E. Ms. Axelle Nicaise, the Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia.

In addition, local authorities have expressed their full support for the SPRIM project implementation, as well as potential cooperation areas between Bulgan aimag, Khishig-Undur soum and mission participants.

About project: The SPRIM project aims to contribute to economic prosperity and poverty reduction and support the development of a green economy and the transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular economy in Mongolia. It is implemented by the Caritas Czech Republic in Mongolia along with four project partners: Environment and Security Center of Mongolia, EcoSoum, Mongolian Sustainable Development Bridge, and T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. More information is found here.