Why Recycling is Important?

Ruined houses and infrastructure: in total, 167,200 housing units have been destroyed or damaged as a result of hostilities, comprising 147,800 private houses, 19.1 thousand apartment buildings, and an additional 0.35 thousand dormitories. Since the start of hostilities in Ukraine, 18 airports, civil airfields, at least 344 bridges and overpasses, and over 25 thousand kilometers of state and local highways and communal roads have been damaged.

Damages in the industry sector encompass at least 426 large and medium-sized private enterprises and state-owned companies that have been damaged or destroyed due to the war. Another issue is the hundreds of thousands of tons of construction waste for which there is no longer enough space in landfills.

Data from Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources in Ukraine (early summer 2023):

• 60,000 objects damaged and destroyed
• 48,000 buildings transformed into piles of debris
• 450,000 tons of construction waste reached.

The largest volumes of construction waste have accumulated in the Kyiv region, Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Kherson and Chernihiv regions.

How to Use for Rebuilding?

Adopt a comprehensive circular strategy across the entire lifecycle of construction projects, focusing on the recycling and repurposing of materials such as cement, aluminum, and plastic salvaged from damaged buildings and infrastructures. This approach not only prioritizes the efficient reuse of these resources but also aims to significantly improve waste management techniques. By doing so, it ensures that materials, water, and energy are utilized in a manner that reduces waste and promotes sustainability within the construction process.

Who Benefits in Ukraine

The Ukrainian Government can reap numerous benefits from ramping up recycling activities across the country, which include:

– Economic growth, as recycling can stimulate economic development by creating green jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries, potentially leading to new markets and products based on recycled materials.

– Environmental Protection – increased recycling reduces landfill use and decreases pollution, contributing to cleaner air and water, which is crucial for public health and biodiversity

– Resource Efficiency- considering the number of destroyed objects it ensures more efficient use of resources by turning waste into valuable materials, thereby reducing the need for virgin materials and conserving natural resources.

Local communities can benefit from extended lifespan of landfills: Recycling reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills, extending their operational lifespan and reducing the need for new landfill sites, which are often controversial and difficult to site due to environmental and community concerns.

Construction Companies, engaged in building and demolition activities. These companies generate construction and demolition waste that can be recycled and reused in their further building projects.

For Ukrainian business: creation of new Recycling and Waste Management Companies – enterprises specializing in the collection, sorting, processing, and recycling of construction materials, transform waste into usable materials, creation of workspaces.

Building Material Manufacturers – they can incorporate recycled materials into their products, reducing the need for virgin resources.

Research Institutions and Universities in Ukraine: academic and research organizations conducting studies on sustainable building practices, recycling technologies, and material innovation. They will be able to contribute knowledge and technological advancements.

NGOs – environmental and sustainability-focused NGOs in Ukraine that will be able to advocate for recycling and sustainable construction practices. They will raise awareness, influence policy, and participate in recycling initiatives.

Architects and Designers – professionals who plan and design buildings will be able to specify recycled materials in their projects, in this way they can significantly influence the demand for such materials.

End-Users – consumers and occupants of buildings who demand environmentally friendly and sustainable construction solutions. Their preferences can drive market demand for recycled materials.