On 4–5 November, Kyiv hosted the International Conference “Modern Ecopolitics of Ukraine: Transparency, Efficiency, and Safety in the Context of Military Aggression”, organised with the participation of the ANTS network, the Anti-Corruption Action Centre, and the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW).

The conference brought together representatives of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, local self-government bodies, businesses, academic and research institutions, as well as civil society organisations.

Within the discussion panel “Effective Waste Management as the Basis of a Circular Economy”, Oleksandr Ihnatenko, National Expert on Waste Management of the WM4U Programme, delivered a presentation.

During his remarks, the expert presented proposals for the development of the system of separate household waste collection in Ukraine. These proposals were prepared by WM4U Programme specialists as part of the update of the Methodology for Separate Collection. The key changes include:

  • expanding technological schemes for the separate collection of biowaste;
  • clarifying the definition and functional purpose of separate waste collection points;
  • revising requirements for the placement of such collection points in communities;
  • introducing unified symbols and signs for identifying types and subtypes of household waste.

Particular attention was given to the unified system of symbols and signs – a practice widely used in Scandinavian countries, including Sweden.

Its introduction will help to:

  • ensure clarity for citizens through a unified visual logic (colours, symbols, names);
  • simplify education and communication within communities;
  • improve the quality and volume of separate household waste collection both in households and in businesses;
  • support the harmonisation of Ukraine’s household waste management system with EU requirements.

The proposed changes represent an important step towards building a circular economy in Ukraine – an economy in which resources are not lost but returned to circulation, creating new value for communities and the state.