As previously reported fakty.ua, since January 1, the updated Law of Ukraine “On Waste” came into force. Its main goal is to create conditions for the collection, sorting and processing of a huge amount of garbage accumulated in legal and illegal dumps. Experts point out that the issue of waste collection and processing is vitally important for the country’s environmental safety. Unfortunately, the real work to solve this problem, if it is, is only in certain regions. In particular, a number of projects began to be implemented in the Kharkov region.

– Now the Kharkov region is one of the first in Ukraine, which started work on creating a strategy for handling domestic waste, – said Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development and Housing of Ukraine Gennady Zubko. – That is, where exactly, how will garbage be disposed of, how will local self-government be responsible for recycling … One of the largest projects in Ukraine for construction of landfills for waste is in the Kharkiv region. In addition, this is a World Bank project.

However, there is still no comprehensive program for the use of waste in our country, in spite of the adopted profile law. Tatiana Tevkun, expert on the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to the EU legislation of the project of the European commission of the IBO Ecology-Right-Man, told FAKTAM about what will happen to the dumps:

“The further fate of landfills is a very difficult issue. According to statistics released by the Ministry of Regional Development, in 2016 about 49 million cubic meters of domestic waste were generated in the country. This is 11 million tons of garbage, which is located on 5 thousand 500 landfills and landfills with a total area of ​​more than 9 thousand hectares. And 1 thousand 339 polygons and dumps, that is 24% of the total, do not meet the standards of environmental safety. Only at 104 polygons across the country are the requirements of state building codes. Of these 104, only 12 have produced biogas from waste, and 48 have introduced filtrate collection systems.

In fact, in order to restore order to the training grounds in the whole country, it is necessary to make great efforts and find means. Under current conditions, the closure and reclamation of one hectare of landfill for waste is estimated at 250-300 thousand euros. Thus, putting in order at a polygon of 30 hectares will cost between 7.5 and 9 million euros.

To date, Ukraine needs to create 464 polygons. The total cost of building one landfill capable of processing 100,000 tons of waste annually over 25 years is more than 50 million euros. This includes capital investment and operating expenses. In order for such funds to appear in the country, it is necessary to establish economically justified tariffs for the disposal of waste. Also, for these purposes, it is possible to partially allocate funds coming from the payment of environmental tax.

To this end, a corresponding program should be created at the state level, which clearly specifies which dumps should be closed and during which period. At the same time, it is necessary to provide for the construction of modern, high-tech landfills that will not have a significant negative impact on the environment, the expert noted.

By the way, an interactive map of official and illegal garbage dumps can be viewed on the website of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. It is already known where in Kiev will install containers for used batteries, lamps and thermometers.