The deployment of circular industrial ecosystems – the condition of eco-efficient elimination of the consequences for the environment caused by military actions

Abstract

The consequences of military actions are an unprecedented case of environmental damage in Ukraine. According to official data, more than 670,000 tonnes of waste were generated due to the damage (destruction) of buildings and structures as a result of hostilities in the territory of Ukraine, which can be considered the minimum possible amount according to the preliminary assessment. Attacks continue and lead to increased volumes of waste, burden on land use in communities and creation of ecological threat. International experience shows the possibility of obtaining ecological, social and economic benefits from the reuse of construction and demolition waste. In the context of the implementation of the European integration vector, Ukraine should focus on the effective management of such waste based on the principles of the circular economy − reuse, recycling and recovery. The fulfilment of this urgent task is possible thanks to the creation of conditions for the deployment of industrial circular ecosystems − a set of entities of various economic activity sectors and civil society that work and evolve together with the aim of creating added value based on the principles of reducing the use of primary materials, reusing materials and products, their processing and recovery, thereby extending the life cycle of goods and forming their enhanced value. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the expediency of deploying circular industrial ecosystems as a condition for eco-efficient elimination of the consequences for the environment caused by military actions. Based on the example of the eponymous project of the global company Energy Vault on gravitational energy storage using composite blocks, which are created with industrial waste and construction and demolition waste, key actions are outlined that will contribute to the emergence and development of circular industrial ecosystems in Ukraine around existing technologies. A range of problematic issues that need to be solved for the formation of institutions, routines, behaviour and culture of economic entities for the deployment of circular industrial ecosystems, in particular, with the aim of eco-efficient elimination of the consequences for the environment caused by military actions, is outlined. Recommendations have been provided on updating the legal support for the management of waste from the demolition of buildings and structures as a result of hostilities; reforming and expanding the range of tools for stimulating sustainable waste management; as well as developing interdisciplinary research.