Ukraine and UNEP Collaborate to Address the Challenge of Safe Debris Management
Ukraine and UNEP Collaborate to Address the Challenge of Safe Debris Management
The destruction of Ukraine’s infrastructure due to military actions has created a serious environmental challenge: what to do with millions of tons of debris? How can they be processed in the safest way for human health and the environment?
💬 These issues were discussed during a working meeting between Oleksandr Semenets, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, and Pier Carlo Sandei, Senior Programme Officer of UNEP in Ukraine.
Managing demolition waste in Ukraine is a complex challenge that requires an integrated approach. The main problem is the presence of hazardous substances in the debris, such as asbestos, heavy metals, and chemical compounds. Asbestos, widely used in construction, is a carcinogenic material, and its microscopic fibers can cause serious diseases.
🇺🇦 Ukraine is also implementing European standards for the disposal of hazardous materials, particularly asbestos. However, the country currently lacks the capacity to process demolition waste.
International partners are ready to contribute to building specialized infrastructure. This includes plans to create a state-of-the-art laboratory that will enable detailed analysis of the waste composition. Depending on the level of hazard, the optimal method of recycling or neutralization will be chosen. Therefore, effective analysis is a key factor for safe waste management.
🤝 International experts will also be actively involved in developing environmentally safe solutions for processing demolition waste.
UNEP has expressed its readiness to support Ukraine in this process. Joint work with international partners will help minimize environmental risks and lay the foundation for safe recovery of the country. An integrated approach, international support, and the implementation of European standards will enable Ukraine to effectively address this problem.