By Dr. Olga Donets
On February 23, 2026, a representative of the NGO Grassroots Institute, attorney-at-law Sofia Shutiak, participated in an online meeting with territorial communities and their associations dedicated to discussing the reform of packaging waste management in Ukraine. The event took place within the framework of the project “Unity for Community”, implemented by ISAR Ednannia with financial support from the European Union, and became one of the stages of a broader public discussion on the revised draft Law of Ukraine “On Packaging and Packaging Waste.”
During January and early February 2026, experts from the NGO Pragma together with the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Environmental Policy and Nature Management continued work on improving the draft law. The updated version of the document takes into account the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste, which represents an important step toward harmonizing Ukrainian legislation with European Union law.
The reform in the field of packaging and packaging waste management is one of the key elements of the modernization of Ukraine’s waste management system and the alignment of national environmental policy with EU standards. The draft law aims to create a modern legal framework for the efficient collection, recycling, and reuse of packaging waste, as well as for the implementation of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) principle.
The online meeting held on February 23 focused specifically on the role of territorial communities in implementing the upcoming reform. The discussion brought together representatives of local self-government bodies, civil society organizations, experts, and other stakeholders. During the meeting, participants discussed:
Particular attention was paid to the importance of ensuring effective cooperation between the state, local authorities, businesses, and civil society for the successful implementation of new approaches to waste management.
Packaging waste remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges. A significant share of municipal waste consists of packaging materials that require proper systems for collection, sorting, and recycling. The introduction of modern legislative regulation in this area is expected to contribute to:
Furthermore, the reform represents an important component of Ukraine’s commitments in the field of environmental protection and its integration into the European environmental policy framework.
For the Grassroots Institute, participation in such discussions forms an important part of the organization’s work in the fields of environmental policy, sustainable development, and environmental education. Active involvement of civil society in legislative processes helps ensure that the interests of communities are taken into account, strengthens transparency of reforms, and contributes to the development of effective and balanced solutions. In particular, waste management issues are directly connected with our initiative “Planet Without Waste,” which aims to raise environmental awareness, promote responsible consumption, and support modern approaches to waste reduction.
Within this initiative, the organization works to promote the principles of the circular economy, develop environmental education, and support practical solutions that facilitate the transition toward more sustainable production and consumption models.
Public consultations on the draft law “On Packaging and Packaging Waste” are ongoing. The working version of the document for comments and proposals is expected to be published on the website of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management.
The Grassroots Institute will continue to participate in expert discussions, support the development of modern environmental policy, and contribute to initiatives aimed at building an effective waste management system in Ukraine. We believe that real change in environmental protection and sustainable development can only be achieved through cooperation between the state, communities, businesses, and civil society.
♻️ Together, we are moving toward a future with less waste. For more information, visit our website www.tgi.org.ua
