Svitlana Grynchuk: For Ukraine, the circular economy is not just about moving forward, it is about laying the foundation for the country’s green recovery

The EU Green Week has kicked off in Belgium. Special attention at the opening was given to Ukraine. As Svitlana Grynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, noted, for Ukraine, the circular economy is not merely about progress but about the foundation of the country’s “green” recovery.

“Without waiting for the war to end, Ukraine is already building a new model – a green, digital, innovative, resource-efficient economy integrated with the EU. We look to the experiences of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Finland, the UK, Japan, and others. But unlike our international partners, we don’t have decades to implement changes. We must act here and now. Over 6 million tonnes of destruction waste have already accumulated in Ukraine due to relentless enemy attacks. More than 2.5 million homes have been damaged or destroyed,” Svitlana Grynchuk emphasised in her speech.

According to her, Ukraine views destruction waste not only as a problem but also as an opportunity to develop a recycling sector integrated into the circular economy model. The goal is to transform such waste into a resource – for building roads and foundations, industrial use, landscape design, and more.

Progress has already been made:

• Since 2022, UNDP Ukraine has cleared nearly 600,000 tonnes of debris in six regions, removed over 3,150 m³ of hazardous materials, and helped 19 communities acquire waste management equipment. Three modern recycling stations have been opened in Bucha, Chernihiv, and Mykolaiv, with some materials already being used for reconstruction. Work continues in eight regions with support from the governments of South Korea, Japan, the EU, and the Ukraine Community Recovery Fund.
• Agreements with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for projects on recycling destruction waste.
• Collaboration with Germany to establish a waste processing plant in Vinnytsia with the company ALBA.
• Under the UN Environment Programme, Ukraine Shelter Cluster, Neo-Eco Ukraine, and Miyamoto are working with communities on waste recycling, providing equipment, conducting screenings, and developing guidelines. The Ukraine Shelter Cluster prioritises nine eastern regions. Neo-Eco Ukraine collaborates with Kyiv and Mykolaiv regions and partially with Kryvyi Rih, with experience recycling 50,000 tonnes of waste in Hostomel.

“The work continues. However, Ukraine needs further support in adopting modern waste disposal technologies, demining territories, and restoring ecosystems. We are keen to unite efforts with scientists to assess the long-term environmental impacts of the war and develop strategies to address them. We are confident that joint research and knowledge exchange will help tackle environmental challenges more effectively. I am certain that with this approach and our partners’ support, we can show the world how a new, resilient, and modern Ukraine rises from the ruins,” Svitlana Grynchuk stated.