ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF WASTE MANAGEMENT ON THE GREEN ECONOMY: A CASE STUDY OF AZERBAIJAN

Abstract

This paper explores how waste management is shaping both energy generation and economic growth in Azerbaijan, all through the lens of sustainability. As the world grows more worried about environmental damage and limited natural resources, turning waste into energy has started to look less like a futuristic idea and more like a necessary step toward a smarter, circular economy.

To get a well-rounded picture, the research blends numbers - looking at how much waste is being produced and how much energy it can generate - with real-world insights into local policies and the technologies currently in use.

What the study finds is a bit of a mixed bag. Azerbaijan has taken some positive steps, but most of its waste still ends up in landfills. More advanced methods of converting waste into energy are barely being used. The data shows that doing more with waste - rather than just dumping it - could seriously cut the country’s reliance on fossil fuels, reduce pollution, and create economic opportunities, including new jobs.

But there are still some real problems getting in the way. A lot of the necessary infrastructure just isn’t there yet. Most people don’t really know much about what waste-to-energy even means, and even when the laws are in place, they’re not always followed or enforced the way they should be.

The paper doesn’t just point out the problems - it also looks at what could actually work. It suggests building up recycling and composting systems, putting money into newer technologies like incineration and biogas, and creating better incentives so private companies want to be part of the solution. Bottom line: if Azerbaijan can get its waste-to-energy strategy on track, it won’t just help the environment - it could also give the economy a boost and make the country less dependent on outside energy sources.