Patrushev assessed the implementation of waste management reform in Russia

There are positive examples of territories in Russia where the waste management reform is progressing at an advanced pace. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Patrushev at the discussion of the state and prospects for the development of the solid municipal waste management system within the framework of the meeting of the Council of Legislators at the Federal Assembly on December 17.

"There are positive examples of territories in the country, where the reform of waste management is proceeding at an advanced pace, but not all regions are responsibly approaching the matter," Patrushev's press service quoted his press service as saying.

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that with all the attention from the federal center, the regions need to take a proactive position.

He reminded that the strategic goal, outlined in the "May" decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is to ensure full sorting of garbage by 2030, to reduce landfill disposal to half and to involve at least a quarter of waste in recycling. According to him, this will require the introduction of capacities for processing more than 20 million tons and utilization of almost 17 million tons of solid waste.

In addition, Patrushev pointed to the upcoming period of holidays, in which it is important to be responsible for the timely removal of waste.

"I would like to ask representatives of the Federal Assembly, who are always actively included in the agenda, to convey to the leadership of the subjects the significance of the tasks. New Year holidays are ahead. During this period, household waste, as a rule, is generated more. It is necessary for everyone to get involved. For my part, I will ask the Ministry of Natural Resources to designate to the subjects the task to ensure the necessary frequency of removal to prevent overflowing containers," Patrushev said.

In addition, during the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister thanked lawmakers for their support in ensuring the development of the industry and involvement in environmental issues. Over four years, 88 acts have been approved, including amendments to the law on extended liability of producers and the law that solved the issue of medical waste utilization. At present, 19 priority legal acts are being worked out. One of the priorities Deputy Prime Minister called the bill, which among other things proposes to refer composting to recycling, and also noted the bill that would allow the regions to impose on regional operators for the treatment of solid waste the obligation to create and maintain container sites.

Earlier, on December 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that within the framework of the national project "Ecology" in 60 regions eliminated 242 objects of accumulated environmental damage, including 157 large dumps. The territory of these objects was reclaimed, which made life more comfortable and safer for more than 20 million people, the head of state added.