The reform of the waste management system is conditioned not only by the complex environmental situation in Ukraine, which requires urgent measures, but also the commitments undertaken by Ukraine to the EU. The European Union is switching to a circular economy, where waste once again becomes a raw material for the economy. Thus, the European Union solves the problem of environmental pollution, as well as the economic problem of dependence on natural resources, including imported ones. To this end, the EU issued a number of Directives and an Action Plan, and in 2018, the so-called Circular Economy Package. These documents indicate targets to be met by the EU member states in 2030.

Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, noted: “The new waste management policy should be considered, first of all, in the context of decentralisation and the role of local hromadas. Local self-government bodies should stop looking at waste issues as a problem, and consider them as raw materials for energy production. Now, they have all the powers, financial and administrative resources to address issues of household waste management on the ground. It is high time for active use of intermunicipal cooperation instruments, development and implementation of regional waste management plans.”

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