The socio-economic development program of the Vitebsk region is aimed at the collection and processing of secondary raw materials
For several years, the region's utility services have not been fulfilling plans for the collection of waste paper (including cardboard) and glass, and since last year, also for polymer waste. The lag in the three specified indicators ranges from 21 to 29 percent. This data was provided by the regional committee for natural resources and environmental protection.
The situation has not changed at all over the past six months. Thus, 9.9 thousand tons of cullet were collected against an annual target of 28.7 thousand tons (34%), waste paper – 18 thousand tons out of the planned 45 thousand tons (41%), polymer products – 4.3 thousand tons instead of the required 12 thousand tons (36%).
It would seem that collecting polymer waste is not a problem. Where can't you find it! However, neither the 12 sorting lines in the region nor the 188 collection points subordinate to the housing and communal services, "Vitebskobleresursy", and the regional consumer union, responsible for fulfilling the targets, are properly utilized. Not only containers for separate waste collection are filled with plastic, but also many ravines and recreation areas.
One can blame irresponsible citizens as much as one wants, but if a sufficient number of bins are not installed, the situation will not change.
The State Institution "Operator of Secondary Material Resources" is ready to allocate funds for the purchase of containers, equipment, and other machinery, but individual utility companies cannot even prepare the necessary documents for this.
The export of secondary raw materials to landfills, which is strictly prohibited, continues. In the first half of the year alone, as reported by Valery Yudenkov, head of the department of the regional committee for natural resources and environmental protection, ecologists identified 380 such cases in the region. 113 protocols were drawn up, and the fines amounted to almost 30 thousand rubles.
Both utility workers and environmentalists are eagerly awaiting the commissioning of a waste sorting plant at the solid waste landfill in Vitebsk in April next year. How will this increase the procurement of secondary material resources? In the most direct way: more than 50% of secondary raw materials from solid waste are extracted in the regional center and Vitebsk district, which also disposes of waste at the city landfill.
"Vitebskiye Vesti". Photos from open sources.