KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF WAR-RELATED DEBRIS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The article explores the specific nature of debris and waste generated as a result of military aggression and large-scale destruction of infrastructure in Ukraine, especially within the boundaries of local communities. The authors emphasize that such waste represents a particularly complex category for public management due to the combination of three systemic features: its massive scale, unpredictable and heterogeneous composition, and the presence of various hazardous properties. The study analyzes the current regulatory framework governing such waste and reveals its fragmentation and lack of alignment with the practical challenges faced by war-affected communities. Particular attention is given to the lack of technical and institutional support for local governments, which are tasked with implementing basic waste management operations such as identification, collection, transportation, and sorting. The article outlines the typical sources of war-related debris in various types of communities, classifies the main fractions of such waste, and describes the associated environmental and human health risks. The research highlights the urgent need for an interdisciplinary and multisectoral approach that integrates engineering analysis, ecological monitoring, logistical planning, and regulatory reform. Promising directions for future research are formulated, including the development of adaptive local governance models, mobile waste-sorting infrastructure, national standards for material reuse, digital risk monitoring tools, and intermunicipal coordination mechanisms. The findings are highly relevant for planning sustainable post-war recovery in Ukraine, ensuring environmental integrity and public safety.