Hazardous Waste Generation and Management: a Case Study of Ukraine

Abstract

Nowadays, hazardous waste is a serious concern around the world. If such waste is delivered to landfills, this may lead to the leaching of toxic substances into the environment. In Ukraine, a significant amount of hazardous waste is landfilled. Thus, there is a significant risk of environmental pollution with toxic chemicals. For this research, the literature data, registers of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, and other open information resources were used. Accounting for hazardous waste generation in Ukraine is provided by companies generating this waste. The control over this process is not sufficient. According to statistical data, about 600,000 t (or 15 kg/y per capita) of hazardous waste are generated annually in Ukraine. it is much less compared to developed industrialized countries. The largest share belongs to waste acids, alkalis, and salts. The rate of hazardous waste recycling in Ukraine has decreased in recent years and fluctuates between 42 - 45 %. The amount of hazardous waste generated as a part of household waste is estimated at about 0.5–3 kt/y. The share of hazardous household waste is 0.03 – 0.1 % or 0.24 kg/y per capita, or 0.08 – 0.14 % (up to 0.4 kg/y per capita), taking into account the commercial sector. This is an order of magnitude less than in EU countries. Official data on hazardous waste generation in Ukraine are probably underestimated.