On legislative requirements for waste management for individuals

Waste generated by human activities not related to economic activities, including waste generated in consumer cooperatives and horticultural associations, as well as street sweepings generated on common land, are considered consumer waste (paragraph 24 of Article 1 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of July 20, 2007 No. 271-Z "On Waste Management") (hereinafter referred to as the "Law on Waste Management").

In accordance with paragraphs 7 and 8 of Article 19 of the "Law on Waste Management":

— individuals are obliged to ensure the collection of waste and its separation by type in accordance with the conditions created for this purpose by organizations operating housing stock and (or) providing housing and communal services, or by legal entities engaged in the disposal of consumer waste;
— owners of consumer waste, if it cannot be used in accordance with the requirements established by the "Law on Waste Management" and other legislative acts on waste management, including mandatory technical regulatory legal acts, are obliged to take measures for the placement of consumer waste in authorized waste storage sites.

Authorized waste storage sites for consumer waste are determined by local executive and administrative bodies in municipal waste management schemes (paragraph 6 of Article 26 of the "Law on Waste Management").

All consumer waste is classified as municipal waste, the management of which is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the technical code of practice TKP 17.11-08-2024 (33040/33140) "Environmental Protection and Nature Management. Technical Requirements for Municipal Waste Management" (hereinafter referred to as TKP 17.11-08-2024). TKP 17.11-08-2024 establishes requirements for the collection, separation by type, and disposal of municipal waste.

Thus, the following municipal wastes are subject to separate collection: paper and cardboard waste, glass waste, plastics, metal, plant waste, wood waste, bulky waste, construction waste, waste electrical and electronic equipment, battery waste, worn-out tires, waste used oils, mercury-containing waste, and medicinal waste.

Collection of bulky waste, construction waste, and worn-out tires is carried out in special large-capacity containers (hoppers) or in separate compartments organized at container sites.

In accordance with the requirements of TKP 17.11-08-2024, the following are not permitted:

— placement of municipal waste in unauthorized temporary storage and disposal sites;
— placement of construction and plant waste in containers for secondary material resources;
burning of municipal waste by the public.

Violation of the legislation on waste management entails administrative liability in accordance with Article 16.44 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses.