AKM report highlights financial pressure on coastal municipalities as seasonal tourism increases waste generation and operational expenses
 |
According to the 2025 State of the Environment Report by the National Environment Agency of Albania (AKM), coastal municipalities are experiencing significantly higher waste management costs per resident due to the sharp increase in waste production during the summer tourist season.
New Waste Laws Introduce EU Standards
The report notes that during 2025 Albania approved:
- Law No. 57/2025 “On Integrated Waste Management”
- Law No. 74/2025 “On Extended Producer Responsibility”
According to AKM, these laws bring Albania’s waste management system closer to the European Union regulatory framework and introduce principles of the circular economy at the national level.
The reform aims to move Albania away from a traditional model based mainly on collection and disposal toward a system focused on recycling, waste reduction, and greater responsibility from producers.
Saranda and Himara Carry Highest Tourism Waste Burden
Despite the progress in legislation, implementation at the local level remains uneven.
Monitoring conducted in 15 pilot municipalities shows that areas with intensive tourism activity face the greatest operational pressure.
“Municipalities with intensive tourism characteristics, such as Saranda and Himara, record the highest service costs per capita due to high waste generation during the peak summer season,” the AKM report states.
During the summer months, the temporary increase in population caused by visitors creates additional waste volumes, requiring more frequent collection, transportation, and management services.
For coastal municipalities, this creates a financial challenge because local budgets must support infrastructure and services designed for a population that increases dramatically for only part of the year.
Some Municipalities Improve Waste Separation
While tourism areas struggle with costs, some municipalities have made progress in waste separation at the source.
The report highlights Belsh as one of the strongest examples, increasing its waste separation rate from 8% to 34.4% during the monitoring period.
The improvement demonstrates that local initiatives and better organization can significantly increase recycling performance when proper systems are in place.
Waste Exports Decline Sharply in 2025
Another significant change was recorded in Albania’s waste trade indicators.
According to AKM data, the total amount of exported waste decreased substantially in 2025, falling to 21,275 tons, compared with 60,521 tons in 2024.
The decline reflects changes in waste management practices and the transition toward a more structured domestic system based on recycling and producer responsibility.
Tourism Growth Creates New Environmental Challenges
The AKM report shows that Albania’s waste management reform is progressing legally but faces practical challenges on the ground.
Coastal municipalities remain under pressure because tourism growth increases waste production faster than local financial capacity can adapt.
Experts argue that sustainable tourism development will require stronger waste infrastructure, better recycling systems, and financing models that consider seasonal population changes.
As Albania moves closer to EU environmental standards, the success of the reform will depend not only on national legislation but also on the ability of municipalities to provide efficient services throughout the year.