Ukraine has introduced a new procedure for identifying and accounting for abandoned waste

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a new Procedure for the detection and accounting of waste whose owner has not been established. The document defines a unified procedure for the authorities to respond to cases of detection of abandoned waste, its accounting, search for the owner and subsequent disposal.

The relevant decision was adopted by the government by resolution No. 903 of July 1, 2026 “Some issues of detection and accounting of waste whose owner has not been established”.

The document was adopted in implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Waste Management”.

Why was the new procedure introduced

Previously, the legislation provided for the obligation of the state to ensure the management of waste whose owner has not been established. At the same time, a unified mechanism for their detection, accounting and establishment of responsible persons did not actually exist.

The new Procedure defines the bodies that must respond to reports of abandoned waste, the grounds for conducting an inspection of land plots and the accounting procedure.

The purpose of the changes is to promptly respond to the appearance of unauthorized landfills, reduce environmental damage, and create a mechanism for identifying persons responsible for leaving waste.

Who will respond to the detection of waste

The powers of the authorities will depend on the location of the waste detection.

If the abandoned waste is located within the boundaries of a settlement, the relevant local government body will be responsible for the response.

Outside settlements, the relevant powers are vested in local state administrations.

A separate procedure will apply to waste that was formed as a result of destruction during hostilities.

Who can report an illegal landfill

Information from various sources may serve as the basis for conducting an inspection of a land plot.

In particular, this includes citizens’ appeals, reports from legal entities, information in the media, materials from state supervision and control, data from the National Police and public works inspectorates.

Authorities will also be able to respond to information obtained from inspections using unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as reports from public inspectors in the field of environmental improvement and protection.

Notification through “EcoZagroza” has separate rules

The New Procedure provides that reporting waste through the “EcoZagroza” service is not in itself an automatic basis for conducting an inspection of the land plot.

To initiate the relevant procedure, the grounds specified in the Procedure are required.

At the same time, a separate procedure for recording environmental damage caused by emergency situations or armed aggression of the Russian Federation operates through “EcoZagroza”.

Land owners must notify within 24 hours

The New Procedure establishes an obligation for owners and users of land plots.

If waste is discovered on the territory, the owner of which is unknown, it is necessary to immediately, but no later than within 24 hours, notify the authorized body.

Individuals can submit a corresponding application in writing, by e-mail, through the official website of the authority or other designated electronic services.

Legal entities can also send a message in paper or electronic form.

The authorized body must register the received message no later than the next working day.

Waste and places of its discovery will be checked in laboratories

The resolution also expands the list of environmental protection measures.

It includes sampling at places of waste discovery, determination of their composition and properties, as well as laboratory tests of soil, water and atmospheric air.

Such studies should help assess the level of possible pollution and environmental risks.

The New Procedure should create a unified procedure for responding to cases of abandoned waste detection and make the mechanism for eliminating unauthorized landfills more transparent and effective.