Across the Western Balkans, the transition to a circular economy is slowly taking shape through a diverse range of initiatives—some led by local governments, others by civil society, businesses, or international donors. While challenges like political instability, weak infrastructure, and limited public awareness persist, concrete efforts are emerging to promote sustainable waste management, resource efficiency, and community-based innovation. These short articles highlight examples from each country in the region, showcasing early steps toward circular practices that hold the potential to inspire broader transformation. We also invite our audience to share stories and information about other good examples they know of.
In recent years, Tirana has taken modest but meaningful steps toward urban recycling through pilot programs focused on selective waste collection. Backed by international organizations such as GIZ and supported by the Municipality of Tirana, these initiatives introduced color-coded bins across selected neighborhoods and conducted door-to-door awareness campaigns to foster a culture of separating waste at the source.
These efforts are in line with Albania’s National Waste Management Strategy 2020–2035, which aims to bring national practices in line with EU environmental standards. However, implementation remains uneven, with infrastructural limitations and a large informal waste sector posing ongoing challenges. According to EEA and OECD reports, between 10% and 18% of recyclable waste in urban areas is collected informally, often without coordination with municipal services.
The pilot projects in Tirana—particularly those co-financed by international development agencies—offer a foundation for scaling up Albania’s circular economy potential. One such initiative, featured in the Open JICA Report, highlights efforts to improve waste collection infrastructure while engaging citizens directly.
Though still in early stages, these programs contribute to building public awareness and institutional experience. Turning short-term pilot projects into long-term systems will require stronger policy enforcement, investment in infrastructure, and broader public participation.
Prepared by the GreenCIVIL team, with AI-supported research and editing (ChatGPT/OpenAI), under the LogEx network initiative
This content is part of the GREEN Civil project “Give Me Five!”, within the framework of the Western Balkans Circular Economy Week (May 26- June 1, 2025) under the motto “From Local Fixes to Regional Impact”.
The initiative is implemented by the LogEx regional network, of which CIVIL is a member. The network was launched by the reputable think tank organization Balkan Forum from Kosovo, and with the support of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund from the United States.
