Currently, 95% of waste in Ukraine ends up in landfills

The problem lies not only in the large quantity of waste but also in the improper collection and processing of waste. Most cities in Ukraine lack an efficient waste sorting system, resulting in waste being collected in general containers, leading to environmental pollution and unpleasant odors.

Furthermore, a significant portion of the waste is not properly recycled but ends up in landfills, which is environmentally unacceptable. As a result, Ukraine has accumulated approximately 15 billion tons of waste.

In addition to these challenges, the war with Russia has caused significant infrastructure damage, including roads and buildings. Remnants of mines and projectiles are left in fields, and their disposal poses a separate task requiring specialized knowledge.

These issues were discussed at the seminar "Waste Management: Standards and Best Practices" organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Employers' Organizations of Ukraine.

The seminar attracted lively interest from experts, entrepreneurs, public institutions, representatives of the education and consulting sectors, with over 500 participants.

According to Anatoliy Kinakh, Chairman of the Employers' Organizations of Ukraine, Ukraine's candidacy for EU membership necessitates the accelerated implementation of European standards and regulations, including waste management norms. The development of the recycling industry and the adoption of subsidiary legislation to the Law of Ukraine "On Waste Management",  which comes into effect on July 9, 2023, are needed.

International experts from the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), the only organization in the world that brings together 30,000 companies from 67 countries in the field of waste management and promotes sustainable economic development principles, shared their insights during the seminar.

"Today, the creation of an environmentally safe waste management system based on the principles of a circular economy and the transition to modern advanced practices of its implementation is on the agenda. Last year, a new framework law on waste management was adopted, marking our path towards the establishment of European work rules and the actual implementation of the provisions of the 98th European Waste Directive. This is what our European partners and Ukrainians expected from us. This reform is quite complex as it affects every sphere of public life, every type of activity, and every Ukrainian. To launch it, tremendous work is required both in terms of legislation and practical implementation. This is not a reform for quick results, but in the end, it will have an impact on the quality of life for each of us", emphasized Ruslan Hrechanyk.

Sergiy Savchuk, the National Coordinator of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Ukraine, drew attention to the need for the development of mechanisms for the proper disposal of fragments of structures and buildings damaged by Russian attacks.

He also announced that the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) has adopted a comprehensive solution for environmental protection in Ukraine across various sectors, adapting legislation to European standards. According to him, preparatory work is underway for the ratification of ILO Convention 170 on the use of chemicals in industry.

"I propose to present the ideas elaborated at this seminar and in our work in project format and offer them to all social partners", said Sergiy Savchuk.

Seminar participants had the opportunity to learn about best practices in waste management, exchange experiences on the implementation of modern approaches to overcome the critical situation in waste processing, and establish dialogue for further cooperation on these issues.

Representatives of the Directorate of Trade and Environment of the Bureau of International Recycling, Ross Bartley and Alev Somer, shared information about advanced waste management technologies. They explained the essence of the EU Framework Directive on waste, which establishes some basic principles of waste management.

The document clarifies when waste ceases to be waste and becomes secondary raw material, how to distinguish waste from by-products. The directive also introduces the principles of "polluter pays" and "extended producer responsibility".

The foundation of waste management in the EU is the five-step "waste hierarchy" established by the Framework Directive. It helps manage waste, including hazardous waste. Codes are assigned for a wide range of activities, including waste transportation, permits (which often relate to specific waste codes), or as a basis for waste statistics.

The European Waste List is regularly reviewed, with the last amendment made in 2014 following a review study.

The guiding document on waste classification helps national authorities, local authorities, and businesses (e.g., in permit applications) correctly interpret and apply EU legislation on waste classification.

The EU has a monitoring and control system for the transport of waste within its borders and with countries that have signed the Basel Convention. The EU has also introduced rules for the export, import, and transit of plastic waste within the EU.

The Commission has proposed a new Waste Shipment Regulation. Before this proposal takes effect, it must be approved by the European Parliament and the Council.

Arunas Lubinavicius, Head of Projects at the Klaipeda Regional Waste Management Centre, shared the Lithuanian experience in adapting European legislation in the field of waste management.

Before 2000, waste in Lithuania was often directly transported from collection points (containers in residential yards) to landfills. With the accession to the EU, Lithuania had to quickly establish an ecological waste management system that involved sorting, tracking, processing, utilization, and safe disposal.

"The producer pays for the recycling of packaging, glass, and plastic. This means that the municipal sector handles food waste, while businesses that produce products in corresponding packaging must also take care of its subsequent disposal", explained Mr. Lubinavicius.

Moreover, 95% of commercial waste goes for incineration, producing electricity and heat, while only 1.5% ends up in landfills.

"How did it all start? We signed the relevant agreement within the EU, and in 2003, 10 regional centers were established, one of which is in Klaipeda. Prior to that, Lithuania had 800 illegal landfills, which we had to clean up. In our region, there used to be 7 landfills, but now we have only one - technological and safe", noted the Lithuanian representative.

80% of these efforts are financed by the EU, while the rest comes from the national budget and investments. It is important to understand that since the EU provides funding, it also obliges to achieve specific results.

"Otherwise, there will be fines", explained Arunas Lubinavicius.

Valeriy Stankevych, a Doctor of Medical Sciences and the Head of the Soil and Waste Hygiene Laboratory at the O.M. Marzeev Institute of Public Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, informed about the Ukrainian realities.

According to him, hygienic requirements for industrial waste management and the determination of their hazard class to public health are currently canceled. 95% of household waste is simply transported to landfills.

"The absence of determining the hazard class of waste is an extremely threatening factor because, for example, out of the list of 15 highly hazardous waste, 11 belong to the medical field", he explained.

Gennadiy Zhuk, the Director of the Gas Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, a Doctor of Sciences and professor, stated that the annual volume of solid household waste in Ukraine ranges from 11 to 13 million tons, releasing approximately 800,000 tons of methane, which is equivalent to 16 million tons of carbon dioxide in terms of greenhouse effect.