Russia is tightening oversight of waste management across the country. A recent report, citing a source in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology, states that a register of specialized recycling companies will be established starting January 2024. The aim is to bring unscrupulous players out of the shadows and to enable authorities to track the total volume of waste discarded by businesses and individuals.
Under the new framework, manufacturers and importers will be required to contract with registrered recyclers or to set up their own recycling facilities. If they fail to do so, they will be subject to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations and must pay environmental fees. This shift places greater accountability on the producers of goods for the lifecycle of their packaging and products.
Before firms are registered, regional Rosprirodnadzor offices will verify the authenticity of their documents and information. They will assess whether the applicant has the necessary equipment and production capacity to handle waste disposal, ensuring that registrants can meet their obligations when handling packaging and other materials.
The government plans to regulate the registry through a draft resolution, outlining the process, the criteria for eligibility, and the reporting requirements for registrants. This regulatory step is designed to create a transparent framework for waste management oversight.
With the implementation of the updated program known as the Extended Manufacturer and Importer Responsibility starting January 1, 2024, manufacturers and importers will bear full responsibility for the destruction and recycling of packaging. The share of packaging that must be recycled will steadily rise, with a target of 100% recycling by 2027. Consequently, producers will either recycle all packaging they produce or pay corresponding environmental fees to support disposal operations.
Business groups have expressed concerns about the new obligations, warning that the changes could lead to market consolidation in the recycling sector. They fear that smaller players could be squeezed out if compliance costs become prohibitive, potentially limiting competition amid the transition.
The publication notes that registering official waste handlers is viewed as a crucial mechanism for regulating the industry. The Klever waste disposal association, for instance, supports the creation of such a registry because it would require companies to declare actual capacities and keep accurate records of waste and secondary materials received. Under the system, firms that are not listed in the registry would be barred from disposing of goods that have lost their packaging or no longer meet consumption criteria. This approach would heighten accountability for all participants involved in waste flows, from manufacturers to collectors to recyclers, ultimately improving data quality and environmental outcomes.
In a separate historical note, assessments have shown that pollution and environmental pressures can influence the resilience of local ecosystems and public health. This broader context underscores the importance of reliable waste management practices and transparent reporting within the regulatory framework now being expanded.