On 3^rd April 2012 the meeting of Steering Committee and Local working group on implementing the inter-municipal project on integrated approach to solid waste management in Tulchyn rayon took place in central rayon library (Tulchyn, Vinnytsya Oblast). The project is being implemented by Tulchyn rayon state administration, Tulchyn rayon council, Tulchyn town council, Suvorivske and Kynashiv village councils and supported by Swiss-Ukrainian Project “Decentralization Support in Ukraine” (DESPRO) and UNDP Project “Municipal Governance and Sustainable Development Program”.

During the meeting the Report on alternative options of integrated approach to solid waste management in Tulchyn target area, presented by Andriy Altov, DESPRO expert was approved. Alternatives for implementing the Integrated system of solid waste management on target territory of Tulchyn rayon corresponds to Step-by-step planning process, agreed among main stakeholders.

After a lengthy discussion, Steering Committee approved one of three proposed options related to solid waste management in rayon. It will become the basis for Strategy on SWM and Action Plan.

Selected option presupposes that multi-storied building will be served in accordance with 4-containers scheme, which will include containers for residual waste, for paper and cardboard (yellow containers), for plastic and metal (blue containers) and for glass (green containers). In private sector remaining waste will be collected in containers, valuable waste will be collected in plastic bags. Residents of private houses will deliver to reception points (or to nearest green container).  Green waste (branches, grass, leaves) will be transported from public places and composted on a special site. It will make it possible to prevent the landfill from maximum possible loading). It is planned to construct new improved landfill that will serve for the territory of Tulchyn target rayon. Further on, it can serve for other rayon communities as well.

It is expected that project implementation will solve the waste challenge in rayon, improve ecological environment and develop the model to be disseminated and used in other regions  of Ukraine. It was the issue underlined by Anatoliy Buzik, head of Tulchyn rayon state administration and Inna Bielova, first deputy head of Vinnytsya OSA Main Department of housing, energy and communications who took part in the meeting.

Vyacheslav Sorokovsky, DESPRO expert on decentralization emphasized that European countries gradually refused from solid waste disposal on landfill while offering other alternatives, like burning the residual waste with mandatory withdrawal of recycles. In Ukraine waste disposal in landfills is still the most common option. That is why the construction of landfills, which will minimize the negative impact on environment both during their operation and after closure.