Ukraine lags behind its European neighbors in the field of waste management by at least 20–30 years. The previous legislation was in effect for over a quarter of a century and did virtually nothing to encourage change: landfilling remained the only legal method of waste disposal. As a result, over 90% of household waste is still buried in landfills.
The first step toward change was the framework Law “On Waste Management” No. 2320-IX, adopted in June 2022 and enacted in July 2023. It established a fundamentally new waste management framework—harmonized with EU Directive 2008/98/EC. In January 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the National Waste Management Plan through 2033—a “roadmap” setting specific targets for the country.
By 2025, the system is already beginning to undergo real transformation: an electronic waste accounting system (EWAS) has been introduced, shifting the industry from declarative reporting to actual electronic monitoring, and requirements for businesses have significantly increased.
Where We Stand
Only 4–8% of waste is recycled in Ukraine—while in several EU countries, this figure exceeds 90%.
In the photo: Waste recycling plant, Zhytomyr. Photo: Zhytomyr.Info
The Scale of the Problem
Ukraine has 6,500 legal landfills and approximately 35,000 illegal ones. Every year, these sites receive an additional 10–17 million tons of waste.
Pictured: an illegal landfill in the Kyiv region.
What the Reform Changes
The reform calls for the implementation of a waste hierarchy, extended producer responsibility, the remediation of old landfills, and the opening of the market to investors in modern recycling infrastructure.
We asked representatives from government ministries and relevant organizations about the three steps needed to get waste recycling up and running in Ukraine.
What did they say?
The Road to Systematic Recycling: Next Steps
Ukraine has already completed an important preparatory phase: framework legislation has been adopted, the National Plan through 2033 has been approved, and an electronic waste tracking system has been launched. But the legal framework is only the foundation. Real change will only occur when three key components work together: legal norms, physical infrastructure, and a culture of waste management.
The next two years are critical. By the end of 2026–2027, Ukraine must demonstrate to the EU a clear picture of its reform progress to gain access to EU financial programs. To do this, it needs to pass the remaining nine of thirteen bills, launch regional planning in all regions, and—just as importantly—conduct a large-scale public awareness campaign.
International experience confirms that countries that have taken this path do not regret it. Leading EU countries have long proven that recycling is the priority, while incineration and landfilling must be minimized as much as possible. Ukraine should learn from others’ experience without repeating their mistakes.
