Ukraine updates separate waste collection rules

EU-style standard for Ukrainian communities

The Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine has announced updated rules for separate waste collection.
The goal is to implement unified European sorting standards that make waste management clearer, more transparent, and accessible for citizens, businesses, and institutions.

The document introduces several key changes:

• Unified color coding of containers for different waste streams;

• Dedicated collection areas arranged for convenience and safety;

• Accessibility of sorting systems for all municipalities and organizations.

Color standards for containers:

• 🟨 Yellow — plastics

• 🟩 Green — glass

• 🟦 Blue — paper & cardboard

• 🟫 Brown — bio-waste

• ⚫ Grey / Black — mixed residual waste

• 🔴 Red — hazardous waste

Beyond color, every container must carry clear labels or plates with names and internationally recognized pictograms. Where repainting isn’t possible, high-contrast stickers are acceptable.

Hazardous waste: a higher level of responsibility

While household sorting is progressing, the most sensitive area remains hazardous waste, especially medical waste.
Syringes, masks, gloves, vials and containers from medicines must not enter general waste streams. These materials may contain infectious or toxic substances and therefore require special packaging and identification.

For hazardous and medical waste, the rules require:

• Certified containers and bags, typically red and marked “Hazardous waste” or “Biohazard”;

• Leak-proof, puncture-resistant packaging;

• Physical separation from household/industrial waste streams;

• Transfer only to licensed operators authorized for transport, processing and treatment of hazardous waste.

Following these standards is essential for environmental safety in healthcare facilities and for public health in communities.

UKREKOPROM’s role in a safe system

UKREKOPROM has been working for over 15 years in hazardous waste management, including medical streams. We provide:

• Collection, transport and treatment of hazardous and industrial waste;

• Full compliance documentation aligned with current Ukrainian law and EU-oriented practices;

• Environmentally safe technologies for neutralization and final treatment.

We support the national reform of separate collection and help municipalities, businesses and healthcare institutions build correct workflows for hazardous waste management.

Looking ahead

A unified system of separate collection is more than colored bins.
It is a culture of waste management in which every stream — including hazardous and medical — follows a controlled path from collection to safe treatment.
UKREKOPROM is a reliable partner for the state, business and the medical community on the way to a safe, transparent and European waste management system in Ukraine.