WASTES & AIR POLLUTION
Author: Zakhar Marzhanov
CONTENTS OF THE REVIEW
I. Summary
II. Introduction
1. Assessment methods
III. Air Pollution
1. Air quality control system in Russia
2. Pollution data presented by enterprises
3. Estimates of vehicle exhaust emissions
4. Estimates of pollution dynamics according to Rosgidromet reports
IV. Waste
1. Total amount of generated waste
2. Difficulty accessing data
3. “Leaps” in waste generation volumes
4. Legal issues
V. Some Conclusions
1. Air Pollution
2. Waste
VI. Addendum
The document notes a drastic increase in emissions of hazardous substances such as formaldehyde, benzopyrene, and lead, which have serious health and environmental impacts.
“THERE IS NO FEDERAL SURVEILLANCE NETWORK STATION IN KARABASH, A CITY THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED ONE OF THE DIRTIEST CITIES IN THE WORLD FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS”
In 2022, the total amount of waste increased by 7%, and coal mine waste by 14%, reaching 5.6 billion tonnes. This amount constitutes three-quarters of the total waste generated in Russia and is 1.5 billion tonnes more than the waste generated in China.
“IN 2022 THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF WASTE GENERATED BY COAL MINES INCREASED BY 14% AND REACHED TO AS MUCH AS 5.6 BILLION TONS, I.E. APPROXIMATELY 40 TONS PER EACH RESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY”
Annual jumps in waste production and accumulation indicate accounting problems and imbalances in the system of government statistics. Waste legislation has undergone many changes and is in the process of being amended. The quality of control of toxic waste is poor.
“COMPARISON WITH CHINA IS STUNNING: WHILE THE SCALE OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE TWO COUNTRIES IS INCOMPARABLE, CHINA PRODUCES MUCH LESS WASTE THAN RUSSIA, AND ITS GENERATION IS ON THE DOWN TREND.”
The Green Think Tank is a community of experts dedicated to analyzing the current situation in Russia and designing green reforms for the future. We are convinced that environmental transformation is
an economic and political imperative for a more resilient future for Russia and beyond.
We are open to your questions and collaboration ideas. Please get in touch with us.