Dispensing with concerns
Waste management in Russia
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
In Russia, waste was not regarded for a long time as being either a valuable resource or a source of hazard. This perception was linked to the wealth of raw materials and the sparse population in the country. However, attitudes have changed in recent years. Following huge public demonstrations against waste disposal sites, waste management has suddenly become a hot political topic. The industry also aims to increase efficiency by reusing raw materials. State funding programmes totalling billions of roubles aim at increasing the recycling quota and making waste a part of the economic cycle. While this transition will take longer than planned due to the upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, in the longer term, Russia will continue to experience a fundamental cultural change with regard to waste management.
(Osteuropa 7-9/2020, pp. 289–303)