The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine will shortly promulgate Methodological Recommendations - practical instructions for local governments on the development of regional waste management plans that will determine the needs of each region for the creation of a new infrastructure for the recycling, utilization and treatment of waste. This was announced by Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ostap Semerak during a conference call with heads of district state administrations and city mayors during a working visit to Ternopil region.

The official reminded that Ukraine, for the first time in all years of independence, had shaped a systematic vision of reforming the waste management sector.

"We can no longer pretend that Ukraine has no problems with waste management. The household waste makes up only 3% of the total waste. For instance, far more complicated is the problem with industrial waste, which poses serious risks for people and the environment. The national strategic documents on reforming this sphere have already been drawn up by the Government", the Minister explained.

In particular, the first stage of the reform envisaged the development and approval of the National Waste Management Strategy until 2030 and the Plan for its implementation. Both documents have already been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

"In fact, people are interested in when specific tanks, waste sorting plants and other necessary infrastructure will appear in their settlement. The answers to these questions will be given by regional waste management plans. They should be developed by local authorities. The Government has defined a new national waste management policy, but it is only possible to solve the "waste management problem" through clear and consistent actions at every level - from national to local", Ostap Semerak explained.

The Minister noted that the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resource prepared Methodological Recommendations for local authorities on the requirements and format of regional waste management plans that will determine the specific needs of regions for the creation of a new infrastructure for the processing, recycling and handling of waste, a detailed analysis of the current situation with waste management in the regions, a list of specific measures to ensure proper waste management.

In addition, the Ministry conducts work on the coordination of donors’ activities and projects to help regions to develop such plans. Thus, from May this year, within the framework of the project "Assistance to the Ukrainian authorities in the implementation of the National Waste Management Strategy", a number of trainings will be held for representatives of local authorities.