CENN, with support from UNDP and Norway, recently hosted a pivotal multi-stakeholder meeting as the final event of its “End Plastic Pollution” initiative in Georgia. This meeting, which marked the culmination of a one-year project aimed at reducing plastic pollution and advancing circular economy principles in the country, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across different sectors. The event was a significant step forward in assessing Georgia’s progress toward a more sustainable and circular economy, highlighting achievements and setting the stage for future actions.
A Look Back at the Progress Made
As part of the final phase of the “End Plastic Pollution” initiative, CENN organized the meeting to summarize the cooperation between stakeholders over the past few years and assess the collective efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability. The event served as a reflection on the ongoing activities, successes, and lessons learned, as well as a chance to strategize on the way forward.
CENN’s goal for the event was not only to evaluate the progress made but also to create a platform for dialogue, exchange, and collaboration between industries. Participants were divided into groups according to their sectors to reflect on their respective sustainability practices, assess their current stage in adopting circular economy principles, and identify areas for improvement. The sectors represented included HORECA (hotels, restaurants, and cafes), retailers, producers, supply chain operators (SCOs), and bars and clubs.
This approach enabled participants to discuss the specific challenges their sectors face in transitioning to more sustainable practices, as well as the opportunities for collaboration across industries that could help address shared challenges. The goal was to gather concrete insights that could help refine strategies and identify synergies that would further advance the circular economy agenda.
Fostering Sector-Specific and Cross-Sector Collaboration
A central theme of the meeting was the importance of collaboration – both within individual sectors and across different industries. CENN highlighted the need for a collective effort in the transition to a circular economy, where sectors can work together to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and adopt more sustainable practices. A key concept discussed was that of industrial symbiosis, where waste or by-products from one sector can be used as valuable resources by another sector. By fostering collaboration between industries, stakeholders can create closed-loop systems that reduce the overall environmental impact and enhance the sustainability of business practices.
Throughout the event key principles of the circular economy and the role of collaboration between businesses was highlighted. An emphasis was drawn to the fact that a traditional linear economy characterized by the “take, make, dispose” model was inherently wasteful and unsustainable. In contrast, the circular economy seeks to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible by designing systems that reduce waste and regenerate natural systems.
The meeting underscored the need for stakeholders from various sectors to engage in discussions about potential opportunities for cross-sector collaboration. By sharing knowledge and expertise, businesses can identify shared challenges and work together to find creative solutions. In particular, opportunities for improving waste management, adopting sustainable packaging solutions, and rethinking supply chains were highlighted as key areas where collaboration could yield significant environmental benefits.
Sectoral Insights and Identifying Challenges
Throughout the meeting, participants were encouraged to engage in group discussions to assess the current state of circular economy practices within their respective sectors. These discussions provided valuable insights into the challenges each sector faces when it comes to reducing plastic pollution and implementing circular economy principles.
For example, the HORECA sector highlighted the difficulties in sourcing sustainable packaging and effectively managing food waste, while retailers discussed the challenges of transitioning to more sustainable supply chains and reducing single-use plastics in retail settings. Producers emphasized the need for better waste management infrastructure and the importance of eco-design in manufacturing processes, while bars and clubs discussed strategies for reducing plastic waste in their operations.
While many challenges were identified, the discussions also brought forward several opportunities for improvement. By recognizing the barriers and brainstorming potential solutions, participants left the meeting with a clearer understanding of how their sectors could adopt more sustainable practices and contribute to the broader effort to reduce plastic pollution in Georgia.
“We have worked extensively with different sectors with a vision to identify specific opportunities for circularity and merge forces where there are clear gaps and needs. We are now seeing the emergence of circular supply chain development and improvement of supplier landscape” Noted Nana Takvarelia, CENN’s project manager.
The Role of Education and Awareness
In addition to sector-specific discussions, CENN also emphasized the importance of raising awareness and educating the public – particularly younger generations – about the importance of waste reduction and sustainability. CENN has been actively working with schools and young people through campaigns and educational programs aimed at encouraging students to take concrete steps to reduce waste. This work aligns with the larger goals of the “End Plastic Pollution” initiative, which seeks to engage individuals and communities in the effort to create a more sustainable future.
“Civil society plays a vital role in addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges while driving meaningful change. The right to a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. With Norway’s support, the End Plastic Pollution Campaign successfully combined expertise, advocacy, and community engagement to promote a circular economy and sustainable solutions. Most importantly, the campaign empowered school students, youth, businesses, and communities across Georgia to take action and become agents of change for a cleaner environment.” – says Lela Akiashvili, UNDP Project Manager.
At the meeting, participants were encouraged to consider how they could engage with their own communities and educate their customers, employees, and stakeholders on the importance of sustainability. This emphasis on education and outreach will continue to be a key component of CENN’s efforts as the project moves forward.
Looking at Business Campaign Progress
CENN also presented 10 businesses and organisations involved in the business campaign that was running throughout the year. The businesses received technical trainings and mentorship to help them reduce plastic waste. The presentations clearly demonstrated extremely high figures of plastic waste reduced in each company and organisation through green procurement, reuse and refill models and repurposing and recycling efforts.
Looking Toward the Future
As the meeting concluded, there was a shared sense of optimism about the future of sustainability in Georgia. The “End Plastic Pollution” initiative has made significant strides in raising awareness, fostering collaboration, and promoting circular economy principles. However, it was clear that there is still much work to be done. The meeting served as a reminder that plastic pollution is a complex issue that requires ongoing effort, innovation, and cross-sector cooperation.
Looking ahead, CENN called on all stakeholders to continue their efforts in reducing plastic waste, improving sustainability practices, and fostering collaboration across industries. The final event of the “End Plastic Pollution” initiative was not only a reflection of the progress made but also a launchpad for the next phase of action- a commitment to a more sustainable, circular economy in Georgia.
By Kesaria Katcharava
