Determinants of the “zero level” of land pollution by domestic waste

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the “zero level” of land pollution in the field of domestic waste management, in order to understand the extent of pollution and littering of lands. This will help with decision-making, taking into account the rate of domestic waste processing, to ensure land conservation for future generations. Methodology / approach. The methodological approach involves determining, using a score-rating system, the “zero level” of land pollution and the pace of waste management by assessing the speed of domestic waste processing based on the target indicators established by the EU Directive: processed amount of household waste and total generated amount of household waste, with quantitative and qualitative indicators for the period 2013–2021 taken as the basis for calculation. Results. It was established that the existing system of domestic waste management, developed according to the National Waste Management Plan and the National Waste Management Strategy until 2030, needs improvement in land protection from pollution and littering. The results of correlation and regression analysis confirmed that accumulated household waste, especially that stored in landfills in violation of safety standards, impacts the level of land pollution. The study of the dynamics of domestic waste management during 2013–2021 showed that for the implementation of European standards, conditions are being formed in the country for a gradual transition from the Cradle-to-grave model to the Cradle-to-cradle model within which target indicators are set. We found that although the amount of generated household waste is currently declining against the background of increasing volumes of processing, the presence of accumulated waste (51.7 million m3) and 5969 landfills polluting 8816.1 hectares of land, make it difficult to achieve the set goals. These goals include reducing the number of household waste disposal sites to 1000 and reducing volumes of waste burial to 50 %. The main reason is the low rate of waste processing. Therefore, the established indicator of the average rate of waste processing is 4.6 % per year with the involvement of 75 % to 79 % of the country’s population in their collection and which does not take into account territories where military operations are ongoing, therefore it is impossible to estimate the scale of waste generation, remains a warning signal in the direction of implementing zero waste. According to the results of the score-rating system of evaluation, regions in Ukraine with a “zero level” of land pollution were not found. Territorial communities are proposed to implement a roadmap of the “zero level” of land pollution based on two basic strategies. These will not only help solve the waste problem but also contribute to continuation of the dialogue with the European Union within the European Green Deal. Originality / scientific novelty. For the first time, an evaluation of the “zero level” of land pollution by household waste was carried out based on an analysis of the conformity of national tasks to the target indicators established by the EU Directive 2008/98/EC on the rate of waste processing according to indicators of processed household waste and total generated household waste. The need to implement Zero Waste in order to protect land from pollution and littering was substantiated. Practical value / implications. The results of the study on land pollution can serve as a basis for developing regional domestic waste management programs and household waste management plans at the level of territorial communities for the implementation of the European Green Deal.