The study on emerging waste in the Republic of Moldova analyzes the flows of used tires, plastics, organic waste, construction and demolition waste, and textiles, as well as the policy, institutional, and social context of the waste management sector.

The study aims to support Moldova’s transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy by assessing emerging waste streams, identifying key gaps in the current waste management system and formulating practical recommendations for improving collection, recovery, and the development of circular businesses.

The study’s findings show that the Republic of Moldova has already established the necessary legal and strategic framework for developing a modern waste management system. However, the system’s operational performance remains below the targets set by sectoral policies. In practice, waste management continues to be characterized by mixed collection, predominant disposal in landfills, limited infrastructure for recovery, incomplete service coverage, and low traceability of waste streams.

The study was developed as part of the project “Enabling an inclusive green transition in the Republic of Moldova”, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in the Republic of Moldova.