Krasnosilska Becomes the First Rural Community in Ukraine to Join the Zero Waste Cities Certification
KRASNOSILSKA, UKRAINE, 05 August 2026 – The Krasnosilska Rural Territorial Community in the Odessa Region has officially become the first rural community in Ukraine to achieve The Zero Waste City Candidate status, committing to a future of sustainable resource management, waste reduction, and environmental resilience.
Candidate status grants Krasnosilska direct access to the international Zero Waste Cities programme, expert mentorship, and proven European methodologies. This milestone marks a critical step forward in developing an effective, modern system designed to handle the community’s long-term environmental and economic challenges.
Rather than treating waste management as a one-off project or a basic municipal service, Krasnosilska is pursuing systemic, phased reform. The community aims to minimize landfill reliance, boost resource reuse and recycling, scale up organic waste composting, and build a localized culture of environmental responsibility.
“Being a ‘Zero Waste’ community isn’t about waste. It’s about a culture of responsibility, respect for our home, and for the people who will live here after us,” said Maryna Arkhiriya, Head of the Krasnosilska Rural Territorial Community. “We aren’t aiming for superficial quick fixes—we are building lasting, meaningful systems through dedicated daily work. The future of our community depends on the decisions we make today.”
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Proactive Progress and Strategic Milestones
Despite the broader challenges facing the region, Krasnosilska has already laid concrete foundations on its path toward zero waste:
Waste Characterisation: Completed a comprehensive morphological analysis of the community’s household waste to guide data-driven decisions.
Strategic Planning: Initiated the development of a Local Waste Management Plan alongside a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
Targeted Composting: Launched organic waste composting initiatives within local educational institutions.
International Collaboration: Active participation in international grant programs and collaborative projects dedicated to modernizing municipal waste infrastructure.
“As an ecologist, I understand that no modern waste management system is built in a single day,” explained Yulia Volochan, Chief Specialist of the Housing and Utilities Department of the Krasnosilska Village Council. “It begins with analysis, planning, and a willingness to change approaches. That is exactly what we are doing today in our community. Candidate status is just the beginning. There is a lot of work ahead, and it is important to us that the system be not only environmentally friendly, but also cost-effective, convenient for residents, and sustainable in the long term.”
By proactively tackling waste before it reaches critical levels, Krasnosilska is demonstrating that zero waste principles are not exclusive to large urban centers, establishing a practical model for rural communities across Ukraine.
Understanding the Zero Waste Cities Certification
Powered by the Mission Zero Academy (MiZA), the Zero Waste Cities Certification is the world’s first independent, third-party assessed standard designed to fast-track municipal transitions to a circular economy.
The certification process provides local authorities with a structured framework based on over a decade of field-tested expertise:
Expression of Interest & Commitment: Municipalities commit to ambitious circular targets and acquire “Zero Waste Candidate” status.
Implementation Roadmap: Candidate cities have up to two years to implement customized waste reduction policies, scale up separate collection, and execute local zero waste scorecards.
Independent Audit & Certification: Following a rigorous third-party assessment, municipalities achieve certified status under a 5-star rating system, driving continuous yearly improvements.
“Krasnosilka demonstrates that there is no time like the present to get started on zero waste.” noted Kaisa Karjalainen, Director of Mission Zero Academy (MiZA). “The ongoing war makes municipality operations harder than we can imagine, but still, Krasnosilska looks to change its systems now and not when conditions are ideal. When there is a will, there is a way, and we at the Mission Zero Academy are honoured to work together with Krasnosilka to find their way together.”
A Model for National and Regional Transformation
Krasnosilska’s candidate status serves as an encouraging precedent for other rural and regional municipalities in Ukraine seeking to modernize their infrastructure amid ongoing national challenges.
“The Krasnosilska Community is the first Ukrainian rural community to decide to reform its waste management system in accordance with zero waste principles,” added Svitlana Karytun, Manager of the ‘Zero Waste Cities’ program at Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine. “At the same time, this step serves as an incentive for other small communities not to be afraid to make decisive changes that are crucial to the well-being of their residents. We are pleased that the number of communities in Ukraine willing to embark on the zero waste path is growing.”
About Krasnosilska Rural Territorial Community
Located in the Odesa Region of Ukraine, the Krasnosilska Rural Territorial Community is committed to economic sustainability, community welfare, and modern European standards of environmental stewardship. To learn more, visit their official portal at https://krasnosilska-gromada.gov.ua/.
About the Zero Waste Municipality Certification
The Zero Waste Cities Certification is run by the Mission Zero Academy (MiZA), the capacity-building hub for local decision-makers, SMEs, and other organisations advancing zero waste strategies and circular economy implementation. The programme evaluates municipal waste management systems on a five-star scale, recognising sustained progress in waste reduction, citizen engagement, and resource efficiency. Learn more at missionzeroacademy.eu.
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