Bashkortostan can become pilot site for hazardous waste collection - Greenpeace Russia

UFA, 30 May 2017. /Bashinform News Agency, Alfiya Agliullina/. Bashkortostan has every chance to become a pilot site in terms of collecting hazardous waste, coordinator of the "Zero Waste" project of Greenpeace Russia Alexander Ivannikov said. He stated this at a meeting of representatives of the Greenpeace organization with the Minister of Nature Management and Ecology of the region Ildar Khadiyev. During the round table, nature advocates discussed the prospects for introducing separate waste collection in the republic and across the country, the press service of the ministry reports.

According to the head of the Ministry of Ecology RB, the republic approached a transition to a new waste management system with fairly good starting conditions. 31 waste landfills were included in the State Register of Waste Disposal Facilities. Over the past four years, eight projects for the construction of waste sorting lines have been implemented through private investments. A system for the hazardous wastes disposal is under development.

"To date, more than a thousand eco-boxes have been installed in the region to collect mercury-containing waste. In this direction, the social environmental project "Ecobox" is being implemented. By the way, the Republic of Bashkortostan, supported this federal initiative among the first subjects of Russia," said Ildar Khadyev.

"We have a number of proposals aimed at further improving this system. In particular, we propose to consider a possibility of introducing targets for implementation of separate waste collection in the framework documents being developed. The Republic of Bashkortostan has every chance to become a pilot site in terms of collecting hazardous waste. Undoubtedly, the presented experience is unique", Alexander Ivannikov noted.

On May 31, Greenpeace will present in Ufa the world's first mobile exhibition "Zero Waste". The exhibition is located directly on the bus converted to an art space and tells why it is necessary to separate waste collection, how to recycle garbage in Russia and how to be happy without unnecessary purchases. The eco-exposition will be available from 12.00 to 20.30 on the square of the "Bashkiria" Lifestyle Centre.