Russia

Policy framework

National Project “Environment” (approved in 2018 by the Russian Government). 

The “Environment” project comprises 11 Federal Projects. Some of the key federal projects are “Clean Volga” and “Clean Country”

Measures

1. New comprehensive system on waste management in Russian Federation.

   Efficient management of production and consumption waste, including the elimination of all unauthorized landfills within the boundaries of cities;

   In 2018 Russia introduced the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility

   Land reclamation in which landfills were located;

   Creation of conditions for recycling all production and consumption waste prohibited from burial;

   Creation of a system of public control over the appearance of unauthorized landfills;

   Removal of debris from coasts and adjacent lakes and rivers;

   Attracting volunteers to clean rivers, lakes and seashores;

   We are currently estimating the socio- economic consequences of the disposable plastic utensils ban;

   The Russian government plans to consider introducing a complete ban on the use of plastic bags from 2025.

2. “Clean Volga” activities (targets to 2024).

   Decrease of the share of polluted waste waters, inflowing the Volga river;

   Elimination (recultivation) of objects of accumulated environmental damage, posing a threat to the Volga river;

   Removal and disposal of wrecks (95 PCs);

   Cleaning of the water objects of Lower Volga (775 km);

   Decrease 3 times of the volume of polluted waste waters, inflowing the Volga river (2100 mln m3);

   Elimination of the objects of accumulated environmental damage (43 PCs).

3. International cooperation for effective adaptation of best international practices.

   Marine plastic litter is frequently discussed at UNEP meetings, regional organizations like APEC, ASEAN, East Asian Summit, ESCAP, G20

   The Russian Federation initiated the new cooperation track on marine (river) plastic litter in the frame of “Clean Rivers of BRICS”

4. Collaboration with stakeholders and civil society.

   “Clean Beach” campaign initiated by the Russian Federation together with other partners (Baltic Sea countries)

   8 “Eco-marathons” with participation of more than 800 volunteers: “Clean banks of Caucuses”, “Clean banks of Far East”, “Clean banks of Baikal”, “Clean banks of Siberia”, “Clean banks of Ural”, “Clean banks of Don”, “Clean banks of Crimea”

   Saint Petersburg Region banned the use of disposable plastic goods during holidays and public celebrations

Achievements

• Social impact.

  Large retail chains voluntarily refuse free disposable plastic bags: more customers are taking a multi-use bags for the shopping.

  More citizens are voluntary started to separate the plastic/paper/glass from their home waste.

  Exchange of plastic/paper/glass from the Moscow`s citizens on tickets to cinemas, museums, expeditions or to the theatres.

  Other.

  Moscow will start the separated waste collection incl. plastic by the end of 2019.

  The replacement is biodegradable utencils made of natural plant materials such as bamboo, cork, palm leaves. These kinds of materials are atypical for Russia, therefore – expensive. So we need to study and develop production from Russian raw materials (e.g. miscanthus).

Best practices

“Clean Beach” campaign and “Eco-marathons” have taken place for almost 7 years. Its gathering officials, NGOs, civil society, volunteers and other stakeholders to organize cleaning banks and shores of the rivers and seas from the waste. Year after year more and more people are taking part in the campaigns. These campaigns are fully supported by the federal, regional and local authorities.

In 2019 one of the most relevant “Eco-marathons” took place on the margins of V-th Eastern Economic Forum (Vladivostok) headed by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation.

Further information

http://чистыеберега.рф/ – “Clean Beach” campaign

http://www.mnr.gov.ru/ – Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation