With the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the gas collection system project at the Didi Lilo landfill has entered an active phase. Such a statement made today the Mayor of Tbilisi.

“Local residents have been protesting and being distressed about the current situation at Didi Lilo Municipal Waste Landfill. I would like to explain to these people what Tbilisi City Hall is planning. I know that my deputies have had meetings with the local residents, who were explained all the points. They have understood everything, for which I want to thank them. We always act transparently, we have nothing to hide and we try to be prompt. We don’t avoid talking about problems and challenges. Regarding the Lilo landfill, I would like to inform the public about where we are now and what we are going to do. Of course, landfills are a big problem today, especially for the local population, and I will tell you what steps are being taken to resolve the situation.

The capital of the country, with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), has moved into the active phase of construction of a gas collection system at Didi Lilo landfill what will help us fulfil our environmental obligations under the 2014 Association Agreement with the EU. The said project involves the final lining of waste storage chambers and the collection of methane gas from the existing or closed chambers.

The EBRD has hired Enviroplan S.A., an international consulting and engineering company, whose consultants have carried out all the necessary studies in accordance with European standards. In December this year, the company will finalize the project, on the basis of which a tender will be announced for the gas gathering and utilization system in compliance with international rules and conditions. After the tender is finalized, the project implementation will start. Unfortunately, we did not have the experience and, frankly speaking, we did not have the human resources to work on such a strategic project and directly present it to the Municipality. Therefore, the involvement of international companies and experts is important. I would like to thank the EBRD for this.

With the assistance of the EBRD and the international consulting group ICP, a materials recycling plant and a mechanical and biological treatment plant with international standards are planned to be built in the near future. The conceptual design of these buildings and facilities will be ready by the end of October. This will be the basis to start the separate collection, utilization and recycling of waste in the city. Besides, it is planned to build a seepage water treatment plant at the Lilo landfill, which is a serious problem today. At this stage, the Terms of Reference are being developed, after which an international tender will be announced under the auspices of the EBRD. This project will be completed within the next year.

Once again, the situation with Didi Lilo landfill is problematic, although we have been working for some time and have already had the result that a specific project will be realized based on the projects that were developed with the help of EBRD.

Our idea and goal is waste separation, although there is still a lot of work to be done. There are quite large-scale works to be done, as many developed countries and cities have done so far. Tbilisi is also working toward this goal, and soon we will have an opportunity to switch to waste separation system”, - said Kakha Kaladze.