Albania to import waste from other countries – EUR 130 million invested in recycling factory

The Parliament of Albania adopted a law on the import of waste from other countries today. The law is opposed by environmental activists and the opposition. Of the 140 members of the parliament, 63 voted for, 27 against, whereas four votes were withheld.

The previous conservative government first adopted the law in 2011, but the currently ruling left-wing coalition revoked it in 2013, before it came into effect. The law has now been adopted along with amendments.

Several dozen environmental activists protested outside the Parliament, claiming that Albania will turn into a landfill and be forced to face dangerous consequences.

The government stated that the law had been brought in line with the EU standards. Albania hopes to initiate the EU accession negotiations.

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that EUR 130 million had been invested in four large recycling factories and ten smaller ones.

Vlada Albanije

import of waste to Albania

Edi Rama

recycling factories in Albania