Together again! Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine gathers in Lviv
After a long stretch of working remotely, often across borders and time zones, finally meeting in person in Lviv this summer felt like a breath of fresh air. The last time we all gathered was in 2022, in Kharkiv, just a week before Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since then, we’ve been scattered, working from different parts of the world, and managing only through online meetings that felt distant and challenging. This gathering brought us together, members of Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine (ZWAU), along with colleagues who had fled the war and joined us from across Ukraine in cities like Zaporizhzhia, Lutsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kherson, and Mariupol.
The atmosphere was electric, filled with excitement and relief. Talking face-to-face with colleagues, including those from our team who we hadn’t seen in person for years, brought a sense of joy and familiarity that we had missed. We spent most of the meeting immersed in discussion, often talking ahead of ourselves, trying to share as much as possible. “Everyone was excited and grateful to have this chance to talk in person, both as colleagues and as friends” shared one participant.
Collaboration and insights from participating organisations
Six members joined the meeting: Zero Waste Kharkiv, Zero Waste Society (Kyiv), Eco News (Kherson), Zero Waste Zaporizhzhia, Zero Waste Mariupol, and Zero Waste Lutsk. Each brought a unique perspective to the table, shaped by their local experiences and challenges.
Zero Waste Kharkiv, for instance, shared their groundbreaking work with demolition waste, an issue that looms large in a city under constant threat. Their projects include reusing demolition waste and running an eco-hub where people can bring items for recycling and reuse. The Zero Waste Society (Kyiv) team, based outside Ukraine, organised a Zero Waste Trainer training for those interested in further achieving the status of the trainer from the Mission Zero Academy. The Kherson-based Eco News team shared updates on their efforts to promote the separate collection of organic waste in municipalities. They also lead a repair project in collaboration with local authorities to establish community repair spaces.
Meeting the team from Zero Waste Zaporizhzhia, who joined our Alliance just six months ago, was especially heartwarming. They’ve set up a recycling and education space, a place where visitors can bring their plastic and learn about reducing waste.
“It was such a delight to meet like-minded people from all corners of the country! The atmosphere of the meeting was so warm and friendly, and the fun ideas for getting to know each other really helped to create a wonderful sense of community.” Zero Waste Zaporizhzhia
The team from Zero Waste Mariupol talked about their work with students from Mariupol State University, creating a zero-waste training course to ensure sustainable practices continue, even in displaced communities. Lastly, Zero Waste Lutsk, whose team has tripled in size, has been working with local businesses to promote zero-waste textile production and sustainable practices in the hospitality industry.
Strengthening our collaboration and solidarity
This meeting went beyond sharing updates; it helped us connect deeply with one another’s work and recognise our shared goals. We took a close look at topics central to our mission, including the roles of the Zero Waste Hub, bio-waste, and the Certification of Cities and Businesses. Through a SWOT analysis, we identified areas where we can improve and support each other.
Together, we learned about the particular challenges and achievements of each organisation, which reaffirmed that we’re not alone in this journey. The sense of solidarity grew as we shared our experiences, and we walked away with a stronger understanding of how each of us contributes to the Alliance’s overall mission.
Key topics and surprising new issues
The discussions touched on the current state of Ukraine and our strategic plans moving forward. The impact of the war on waste generation, especially with debris and demolition waste, became a critical topic. We also focused on reducing organic waste and had the opportunity to visit the Tarilka food bank, where food that would otherwise go to waste is distributed to those in need. It was moving to learn about how the food bank operates, forming packages for people and working with supermarkets to recover food before it’s thrown away.
We also visited a local condominium association with its own waste sorting station, including facilities for organic waste composting. This initiative has helped residents reduce their waste disposal costs, a practical benefit of zero-waste practices.
Outcomes and next steps
This gathering led to some clear takeaways and actions. One important outcome was the creation of a database of experts within the Alliance, as even our own members sometimes aren’t fully aware of the expertise within our network. With a growing team, we’re now holding regular Alliance meetings to maintain synchronisation and team cohesion.
Our strategic direction also became clearer. We saw that operational work is important but that our focus on long-term goals and strategic alignment is what will ultimately propel the zero waste movement forward in Ukraine.
Reflections and lessons learned
The primary takeaway from this experience is the undeniable value of in-person gatherings. Meeting face-to-face strengthens our communication and fosters trust in ways that online interactions simply cannot. These moments of spontaneous conversation, during breaks, over coffee, spark ideas and connections that can’t easily happen over Zoom.
The collaborative energy also led to practical problem-solving, such as when we helped Zero Waste Lutsk address a local challenge with our collective knowledge. In-person meetings also enable quicker decision-making and easier clarification of issues, helping us resolve obstacles more efficiently than virtual meetings often allow.
“We’ve met some lovely people who are experts in their fields and we’ll be in touch if we need any help. For instance, we’re delighted to be working with the wonderful Oksana to conduct training on waste legislation for our team.” Zero Waste Zaporizhzhia
Looking ahead: key takeaways and next steps
As we move forward, one takeaway stands out: we need to prioritise holding annual gatherings, each time in a different Ukrainian city. These events will allow us to continue building our network, integrating new members, and learning from local zero waste practices in each host city.
With renewed energy and purpose, we are committed to growing our movement and encouraging new members to join. Together, we’re ready to face the challenges ahead and make strides toward a sustainable, zero waste Ukraine.
