Routes for improving the management of solid waste and secondary resources in the regions of modern Russia

Aim. This study aims to substantiate the introduction of measures to reduce and prevent the formation of solid waste and promote demand for products made from secondary resources.

Objectives. The work analyzes the state of the waste management industry across Russia and its federal districts. It identifies the features of the functioning of the waste management operations in various regions, such as the resource-intensive nature of production, low demand for secondary resources and products made from recycled materials, and insufficient measures to prevent waste generation.

Methods. The study is grounded in the theory of the closed-loop economy. It utilizes statistical data, publications from Russian and international experts, as well as information from governmental and analytical agencies.

Results. The article provides an overview of the state of the waste management across Russia and its federal districts. Data from country ratings (Environmental Performance Index, Global Waste Index) are used to draw conclusions about the quality of waste handling management. The article highlights priority routes for reforming the waste management industry, identifies and substantiates the specifics of functioning in the field of waste and secondary resources in the regions of the Russian Federation. It also proposes measures to improve the management of solid waste and secondary resources.

Conclusions. For Russia, as for most countries in the world, developing effective waste management is becoming a priority. While Russia demonstrates competence in hazardous waste management and has established processes for collecting and processing certain waste fractions, it lags behind developed countries in integrating waste into economic cycles. The prevailing “consumption–waste” system has features of a “wasteful consumption” system, or a system with “non-economic growth”. The regions of the Russian Federation differ significantly in terms of reclamation and dumping primarily of municipal solid waste (MSW). Some regions have managed to achieve a high level of reuse (recycling) of municipal solid waste; however, in most regions the bulk of municipal solid waste is sent to landfills. The specific features of the municipal solid waste and secondary resources sector in the regions of the Russian Federation, such as the continued resource-wasteful nature of production activities, low demand for secondary resources and products made from secondary raw materials, as well as insufficient implementation of measures to prevent waste generation, enable to conclude that the waste management reform being implemented in Russia is important and that its organizational and legal framework needs to be further improved. It is necessary to set goals to reduce waste generation and implement programs aimed at preventing waste generation. Demand for products made from secondary resources should be actively supported.

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