On November 21-23, Ivano-Frankivsk hosted the National Forum “Waste Management in Ukraine: Legislation, Economics, Technology”, which is a public platform for discussing pressing issues in the field of waste management, developing solutions and implementing practices that comply with European rules and standards.
The purpose of the Forum in 2023 is to present the first practical actions and problematic issues of the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Waste Management”.
The forum was organized by the Ukrainian Ecological League. The event was supported by: The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management.
Tetyana Tymochko, Head of the Ukrainian Ecological League, opened the forum and noted that despite the exhausting war in which our nation is fighting for its independence against Russian aggression, Ukraine is undergoing transformations and reforms that determine its further development. This also applies to the waste management reform, which, after the adoption of the framework law, definition of the roadmap, development of some regulations and regional plans, requires the implementation of a comprehensive waste management model in accordance with European standards.
Ruslan Strelets, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, emphasized that the Parliament can pass dozens of laws on environmental protection, the President can sign these laws, the Minister can sign dozens of orders, but it is important to create a modern waste processing infrastructure at the regional level, in communities.
Among the Forum’s partners is the local company GALVAPNO. Ilya Marchevsky, the owner of the company, made a presentation on waste management in Israel as an example of successful practice of sorting and recycling waste, especially that generated as a result of military operations, and noted that “for some people, waste is just waste, while for others it is raw material for new products.”
The forum participants discussed the following issues: - new legislative initiatives and regulations in the field of waste management in Ukraine based on European rules and standards;
- regional and local strategic planning of waste management for the green recovery of Ukraine;
- environmentally friendly, resource- and energy-efficient technological solutions for waste processing and reuse;
- issues related to the new rules of technical operation of landfills;
- educational, informational, and awareness-raising activities to develop environmentally friendly waste management skills;
- introduction of environmentally friendly energy technologies for processing forestry waste in Ukraine;
- damages to natural ecosystems, protected areas and protected sites as a result of Russian armed aggression.
During the Forum, the participants had the opportunity to visit the existing sorting line (Rybne village) and the high-tech waste-free lime burning production facility “GALVAPNO” located on the territory of the Stryhanets quarry.
The National Forum “Waste Management in Ukraine: Legislation, Economy, Technology” was attended by more than 5000 people in offline/online format – representatives from all regions of Ukraine: heads of environmental departments/offices of the EMBs, employees of the State Environmental Inspectorate, heads of communities, directors of utilities, regional development agencies, international organizations and technical assistance projects, scientists, business structures, experts, institutions working in the field of waste management, environmental safety and environmental protection.
The discussion resulted in a Forum Resolution and an appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and relevant ministries and agencies. These final documents emphasize the importance and urgency of addressing waste management issues.
The participants of the National Forum expressed their hope for the successful implementation of regional waste management plans and further cooperation between the authorities, scientists and the public to protect the environment of Ukraine.
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