Regional household waste management system: condition and main problems

Abstract

An interpretation of the concept of "regional household waste management system" is presented, which is understood as a part of the National Waste Management System, which ensures the coordination and unification of all stages of waste management in each settlement/ community/territory of the region as a whole taking into account natural, demographic, economic, geographical and other features in a single complex mechanism. The features that determine the functioning of household waste management systems at the regional level are identified. A number of problems peculiar to waste management are highlighted. The purpose of the article is to analyze the results of the study on the volume of generation/disposal of household waste and identify on this basis the list of problems faced by most regions of Ukraine in this area. The aim is also to consider the concept and features of the regional household waste management system. Attention is focused on the significance and role of clearly defined and taken into account physical and chemical properties of household waste and its morphological composition: 1) in providing basic information necessary for planning and optimizing the management system, environmental assessment of waste management; 2) in choosing the technology of its processing since the efficiency of recycling depends on it. The article emphasizes that objective data on the volume of generation and morphological composition of household waste are critically necessary for the development/adjustment of regional waste management plans, awareness of citizens, business entities, and management bodies, giving them the opportunity to make informed decisions. Actions to reduce toxicity/hazard include reuse, thermal disposal, incineration without energy generation, and waste minimization. The analysis of the volume of generation/disposal of household waste in the regions of Ukraine is carried out. According to the results of a study of the volume of waste generation in households per person in 2020, five classification groups are identified. The main signs of functioning of the domestic household waste management system in comparison with the European one are indicated. Foreign experience on the importance of household waste processing technologies used in determining the quality parameters of the waste management system as a whole is noted. The fact that it is innovative production that lays the prerequisites for the formation and effective functioning of a modern waste management system is emphasized. The article notes that the implementation of most of the tasks defined by the 2030 National Waste Management Plan does not meet the established deadlines due to the socio-economic situation in the country. The planned reduction in the volume of household waste disposal in landfills lags behind the established time frame.