Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ruslan Strilets said that limiting the use of disposable plastic products in Ukraine is an important step towards the EU.
It will also contribute to the further implementation of waste management reform, the Government Portal reports.
"We need to implement the relevant European Directive. In addition, we want to go even further – to start examining our waters for the content of microplastics," said Strilets.
He added that he had given instructions to develop appropriate procedures and methods for the water monitoring laboratory of the Western region in the Dniester Basin Water Resources Department.
According to him, this laboratory has significant potential and opportunities for this. After all, it is one of the most modern in Ukraine. It is in this laboratory that the analysis of water from the territories affected by hostilities is carried out.
"Back in 2019, Ukraine fully implemented European approaches to state water monitoring into its legislation. Today, laboratories such as those in Ivano-Frankivsk region allow us to implement them in a practical way, and to monitor the state of our waters in wartime conditions," Strilets added.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, in 2021, the Verkhovna Rada registered draft law No. 6077 "On limiting the production and circulation of single-use plastic products on the territory of Ukraine". However, it was withdrawn from consideration in 2023.