PRESS RELEASE
On 22 September 2016, a 3-year EU-funded project has started its activities to boost the effectiveness of the waste management system of Ukraine and reduce its preoccupying impact on the environment. The project “Ukrainian civil society for European style waste management” is implemented by the International Charitable Organisation “Environment-People-Law” (EPL) in partnership with “Environmental initiatives” NGO (Ukraine).
The waste management system of Ukraine is in crucial need of reform. According to the statistics by the Ministry for regional development, 94.4% of solid waste is landfilled in Ukraine, while this proportion tends to zero in the EU countries thanks to sound waste governance policies privileging recycling.
Johannes Baur, Head of the Energy-Transport-Environment Operations section at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, declared: “There are alternatives to landfilling. Waste can actually be used as a resource; recycling is not only good for the environment and people’s health, it contributes as well to economic growth. We support this project because it will accompany the societal changes that will make recycling possible in Ukraine”.
To promote the concrete transposition of this EU approach on waste in Ukraine, this new project will implement activities like seminars and trainings for civil society, local governments and environmental agencies; analysis of regional waste management programmes; comparative analysis of relevant national and EU legislation; assessment of mercury-containing waste in Ukraine and international conference on mercury-containing waste management; proposals to amend the national legislation on waste management; issuance of guidelines for local authorities; awareness raising campaign.
To improve the system of waste management, the project will also promote ratification by Ukraine of the international Minamata Convention on mercury, which, according to the representative of “Environmental initiatives” NGO Oleh Hladchuk, is important for protecting human health and the environment from mercury pollution.
“Currently the Ministry of Environment jointly with European experts develops the National strategy of waste management. It will become the basis for regional waste management programmes and solution of environmental programmes. We expect help and support from the public,” said deputy minister of environment for European integration Mykola Kuzio. MP Ostap Yednak stated that until the late 2016 the strategy, programme and law on waste should be developed and approved in line the EU standards.
Olena Kravchenko, executive director of “Environment-People-Law” NGO summarised that the project will become one of the driving forces behind the legislative and practical changes in the field of waste management in Ukraine.
For more information, please, contact:Olena Kravchenko, EPL Executive director, at e-mail: okravchenko@epl.org.ua, and Alla Voytsikhovska, EPL environmental scientist of the 1st category, at e-mail: alla.voytsyhovska@gmail.com, or tel.: (032) 225 – 76 – 82.
Background information: The EU-funded project “Ukrainian civil society for European style waste management”, with the budget of €493 086, aims to promote democratic reform and increase the capacity of civil society to participate in decision making on waste management. It will serve as a link between the Ukrainian environmental authorities, governments, European agencies and experts, willing to share their experience in the field of waste management. More information:http: //www.epl.org.ua/en/
Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Project is implemented by the
101, Volodymyrska St., International Charitable
Kyiv, 01033 Ukraine Київ, 01033 Organisation “Environment-People-Law”
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