Ukraine is developing the first cluster waste management system: details and prospects

Ukraine has begun developing an innovative cluster waste management system, which provides for a new approach to organizing waste processing and disposal in different regions of the country. This process will include an analysis of existing waste management methods and an assessment of the volume of waste generation for the next ten years.

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, one of the first cluster concepts will be implemented for the Uzhgorod cluster in the Transcarpathian region. This concept will become a pilot project for other regions of Ukraine.

The Uzhgorod cluster will consist of three territorial subclusters: Uzhgorod, Perechyn, and Chop. This will allow taking into account the specifics of each community and adapting the waste management strategy to their real needs.

Currently, experts are conducting a comprehensive analysis of the existing waste management system in the region and estimating how much waste will be generated by 2034. According to forecasts, by this time the population of the Uzhhorod cluster, including internally displaced persons, may grow to 285 thousand people, and the volume of waste generation will amount to about 144 thousand tons per year.

One of the key problems is the large amount of waste generated by the Uzhhorod urban territorial community, which accounts for about 60% of the total volume. Therefore, it is planned to locate the largest number of facilities for household waste management here. One of such facilities is the planned CHP plant using renewable fuel from waste (RDF).

Waste sorting and transshipment facilities will also be created in the Perechyn and Chop communities. In addition, it is planned to organize at least 16 separate waste collection points by 2034, which will significantly improve the efficiency of disposal and reduce the environmental impact on the region.

A cluster waste management system will increase the sustainability and competitiveness of enterprises engaged in this field, as well as make them more attractive to investors. Such an innovation will be an important step towards sustainable development and improvement of the environmental situation in Ukraine.