Feasibility Study – Solid Waste Management, Vlora Region

Overview

The Vlora region, on Albania's Ionian coast, faced significant challenges in managing solid waste across its municipalities. Existing systems were fragmented, under-resourced, and increasingly unable to meet the environmental standards required under Albanian and EU law.

FLAG was commissioned to conduct a thorough feasibility study examining the options for establishing a regional solid waste management system — bringing together multiple municipalities under a shared governance and operational framework.

Objectives

• Analyse existing waste management practices, infrastructure, and governance across the Vlora region
• Assess the technical options for a regional system including collection, transfer, and disposal
• Evaluate the financial viability of different models including cost-recovery mechanisms
• Review the legal and institutional arrangements needed for inter-municipal cooperation
• Produce a preferred option with a detailed implementation roadmap

Key activities

• Waste characterisation and quantification surveys across the region
• Site assessments for potential waste transfer and disposal facilities
• Financial modelling of investment and operational costs
• Legal review of inter-municipal cooperation frameworks
• Stakeholder consultations with municipalities, central government, and communities
• Preparation of the feasibility report and executive summary

Results

The feasibility study delivered a clear preferred option for the regional system, supported by financial models, site recommendations, and a phased implementation plan. The report became the basis for subsequent investment planning and donor engagement in the Vlora region.