On 5–6 June, representatives of the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine participated in the 11th CEWEP Waste-to-Energy Congress, held at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk, Poland. Their participation was supported by the Swedish-Ukrainian programme “WM4U – Waste Management for Ukraine”.
The CEWEP Congress brought together over 400 professionals, government officials, and industry leaders from across Europe to explore the latest developments in waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies, policies, and market dynamics. With sessions focused on decarbonisation, circular economy, PFAS regulation, communication strategies, and the role of carbon capture, the Congress provided a comprehensive outlook on the sector’s future.
Swedish Delegation in Support of Ukraine
The WM4U Programme was represented by a Swedish delegation, including Andrik Mols, Technical Programme Manager; Tony Clark, CEO of Avfall Sverige; and Klas Svensson, Senior Expert. Their presence underscored the strong commitment of Swedish institutions to supporting Ukraine in building resilient and sustainable waste management systems aligned with European Green Deal objectives.
“Waste management is key to the green transition. For Sweden, this is a chance to support Ukraine’s recovery while advancing circular economy goals. It’s a win-win,” commented Tony Clark during the Congress.
Ukrainian Perspective and Global Integration
The Ukrainian delegation’s participation reflects the country’s growing engagement with the European environmental community. It also strengthens cooperation with international partners to develop infrastructure for energy recovery from non-recyclable waste, a critical issue given the war’s impact on public services and environmental safety.
Vita Plakhotniuk, Head of the Department for Coordination of International Agreements at the Department for Waste Management and Environmental Consequences of Military Actions, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, said:
“During the Congress, experts in waste-to-energy shared up-to-date insights on the situation across various EU countries. Both successful examples of WtE implementation and the challenges faced by individual countries were presented. Speakers also shared their experience in preparing projects to attract grant funding, particularly for innovative solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
We are convinced that such events are extremely valuable, as they help us better understand the complexity of issues involved in implementing environmental projects. However, beyond the initiative and willingness to carry out these projects, business support is crucial. I would like to see stronger cooperation between government and business to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development – for the sake of future generations.”
The knowledge and contacts gained during the event will contribute to the development of strategic decisions at the national level, particularly regarding the implementation of infrastructure for recycling and energy recovery from waste that cannot be reused or sorted.
Diana Novikova, Head of the Household Waste Management and Municipal Services Division at the Department of Municipal Services of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, added:
“Today, Ukraine is shaping a new policy in the field of municipal waste management, focused on the circular economy and integration into the European space. Participation in international events like the CEWEP Congress is not only an opportunity to study best practices from EU countries, but also a chance to build partnerships that will become the foundation for a sustainable and safe future in Ukraine. The transition to energy-efficient solutions in household waste management is not a choice – it is a necessity we are already actively working on.”
The involvement of both ministries contributes to aligning national policy efforts with EU best practices in sustainable waste and energy systems. Insights gained at the Congress will help inform future steps in implementing waste-to-energy solutions in Ukraine’s municipalities.
Visit to the Gdańsk PCE WtE Plant: A Hands-On Insight into Waste-to-Energy Solutions
The final highlight of the second day of the Congress was a technical visit to the Gdańsk PCE Waste-to-Energy Plant – one of the most advanced municipal waste incineration facilities in Poland. Participants had the opportunity to witness first-hand how waste that cannot be recycled is safely and efficiently transformed into electricity and heat.
Located in the port of Gdańsk, this facility serves the city and surrounding municipalities of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. It operates as a full-scale “Port of Clean Energy” (Port Czystej Energii), ensuring the environmentally sound incineration of residual waste while managing the generated energy flows.
The visit offered both Ukrainian and Swedish participants valuable insight into how circular economy principles and resource efficiency are implemented in practice. Such examples serve as inspiration for Ukrainian communities and state institutions that are currently seeking sustainable and modern waste management solutions.
The CEWEP Congress participation marks another milestone in strengthening Ukraine’s integration into Europe’s sustainable waste management community.