The newly introduced Law: changes in waste management

In the EU, local manufacturers of, say, kettles or even matches think beforehand about the fate of their products after use. It means they do not lay their responsibility onto end consumers. 

This very principle of manufacturers’ expanded responsibility is included in new Law of Ukraine «On waste management». And it is European legislation that serves a guiding star to reform the system on its thorny path now.

Reducing 

It is beyond reach to recycle all wastes completely. And so, the highest step of pyramid is reducing the amount of generated waste.

For instance, orange peel after producing orange juice can be thrown away. But is it not more reasonable to make it candied peel? For this, either internal full-cycle or external manufacture is regarded.

Clothing or furniture may be produced to be more durable. This decreases the amount of waste dramatically.

Ready to repair

The following step means that goods must be repairable.

Their details must be replaceable and standardized, not soldered or attached in a way that excludes repair. In the EU, for example, spare parts for some household appliances must be available for purchase during 10 years after its purpose item has been sold.

Recycling or re-processing

The idea of this step is that recyclables are collected and processed in a certain way to eventually manufacture new goods.

Aliminium cansand other metal waste may become nails, while construction waste is used for road paving of decoration.

Renewal (in particular with production of energy)

Waste can partly be processed to fuel. Worn-out tyres typically enabled for works of art may serve a source of unconventional fuel for industrial facilities, boiler houses, even ships.

Removing

As military administrations report in 2022, of 7 million tons of solid municipal waste 90% was left in refuse dumps – better to say landfills, as only 2% comply with state construction norms. 

The draft project of National waste management plan says this figure should decrease to 30% by 2030.

Moreover, old-type landfills must be shut down and recultivated.