On International Zero Waste Day, Lutsk organized the first educational tour to the municipal solid waste landfill
On March 30, the global community observed International Zero Waste Day. In 2024, Lutsk became a signatory to the Zero Waste Certified City Agreement and joined the International Zero Waste Certified City Program. This program outlines a comprehensive set of measures for cities to reduce waste, enhance recycling efficiency, and establish a closed-loop resource management system. The first audit to assess compliance with certification criteria is scheduled for 2028.
In recognition of this occasion, on March 28, Lutsk organized its first tour of the municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill. The event was initiated by the NGO "Zero Waste Lutsk" and the Lutsk City Council, with support from LSKAP "Lutskspetskomuntrans" and its division, "Clean Lutsk." Over 30 participants registered for the eco-tour, including students, bloggers, youth organization representatives, parents with children, local residents, and individuals from various sectors of the community.
Oleksandr Obshtyr, Deputy Director of LSKAP "Lutskspetskomuntrans", led an informative tour detailing the landfill's operations—from the arrival of waste to leachate treatment and landfill gas utilization. Participants observed the initial sorting of waste into categories such as construction debris, bulky waste, plastics, and glass. They also learned about the processes of waste disposal, including layering waste with soil and compacting it using specialized equipment. The tour showcased the construction of a new landfill cell, highlighting the installation of a geomembrane liner designed to prevent liquid infiltration into the soil.
The leachate treatment station aroused great interest among the participants, where environmental activists could observe the real effect and result of treatment: there are two pools next to each other, one of which contains landfill leachate, the other clean, clear water that has been treated through the station.
Company representatives discussed future plans to construct a waste processing plant and the broader prospects for advancing waste management within the community. The tour fostered engaging discussions on strategies to minimize waste generation, promote widespread participation in waste sorting, and enhance separate collection practices.
Participants observed significant accumulations of plastic, glass, and other materials at the landfill—items that could be effectively sorted, recycled, and repurposed. The theme of this year's International Zero Waste Day, "Textile and Fashion Waste," highlights the pressing need to address the environmental impact of the fashion and textile industries and to promote sustainability and circularity within these sectors. Globally, the equivalent of one truckload of textile waste is incinerated or landfilled every second. In Lutsk, residents can contribute to mitigating this issue by depositing textile waste at sorting stations. Collected items are subsequently donated to the NGO "Station of Good" for those in need or repurposed into products such as eco-bags, chair cushions, tank liners, mats, socks, and more.
Tour participants expressed appreciation for the community's current waste management initiatives, the infrastructure already in place, and the future plans outlined by LSKAP "Lutskspetskomuntrans" and Lutsk City Council. However, there was a consensus on the necessity for extensive educational efforts, increased public awareness regarding proper waste management practices, and the personal responsibility each resident holds concerning the waste they produce.
Department of Ecology,
Department of International Cooperation and Project Activities