MINSK, 3 September (BelTA) - The municipal waste recycling rate will reach about 30% in Belarus by the end of the year, Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Andrei Khudyk told the media on the sidelines of the meeting of the CIS Interstate Environmental Council, BelTA has learned.
“The platform of the CIS Interstate Environmental Council enables us to address important issues by joint efforts. First of all, these are climate change, environmental protection and environmental safety. Belarus takes an active part in the work of the CIS Interstate Environmental Council. Today we discussed the carbon regulation, taking into account the ‘green deal' and the introduction of the carbon tax in the EU. In addition, we presented Belarus' experience in replacing plastic packaging with environmentally friendly alternatives made from local raw materials to reduce the burden on the environment," Andrei Khudyk said.
The minister noted that Belarus is a great contributor from among the post Soviet Union states to the development of the waste management sector. “This year, we are planning to turn about 30% of municipal waste into income and involve in the economy of our country. According to the strategy for waste and secondary material resources management, this figure is to reach 90% by 2035. To reduce the burden on the environment, we strive to eliminate plastic containers from circulation. We have set up an inter-agency commission and drawn up a plan of action for the phased withdrawal of plastic from circulation, primarily disposable packaging in public catering facilities. A number of restrictions have been introduced since January of this year," he said.
The CIS Interstate Environmental Council was established in line with the CIS agreement on cooperation in environmental protection signed in Minsk on 31 May 2013. Its mission is to align the environmental legislation and improve nature management, prepare scientifically-based standards for the use of natural resources, environmental standards, and to develop interstate programs and projects in environmental management and environmental safety.
