The Montenegrin Waste Management Sector Transformation and Its Impacts Towards Just Green Transitions

This research explores the viability of using refused waste streams with high calorific properties as a source for alternative fuel production in the territory of Podgorica and the central region of Montenegro as a means towards implementing the Green Agenda for WB. Employing a mixed methods approach, the study provides an overview of Montenegro's current waste management situation, implementation of waste management hierarchy and circular economy principles, long-term objectives, and commitments to just green transition. Using the central region of Podgorica (Podgorica, Cetinje, and Danilovgrad) as a case study, the research assesses the viability of alternative fuel production to foster circularity and JGT of Montenegro. Our findings suggest that despite recent developments, such as the new law on waste management aligning with EU requirements, the stagnation of the waste management sector is exemplified by the current low recycling rates (0.35 in 2022) and heavy reliance on landfilling. The co-processing of waste fractions as alternative fuels in the form of Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) and Solid Recovered Fuel (SFF) is a vailable practice based on the case study results. Moving towards alternative fuel production can potentially contribute to the transition to a circular economy through a waste recovery practice and advance the Montenegrian green transition.