A new UNDP study reveals that Ukraine could recycle and reuse up to 8.2 million tonnes of war-generated debris as part of its recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The study focuses on debris recycling, secondary raw materials, circular economy practices, sustainable reconstruction, construction material production, green public procurement, private sector engagement, market incentives, regulatory changes, infrastructure investment, environmental protection and decarbonization of the construction products industry.
The United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Japan and in cooperation with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, has published a new study on the feasibility of creating a sustainable and market-based system for recycling and reusing debris caused by the full-scale war.
According to the study, around 17.2 million tonnes of debris had been generated from damaged and destroyed residential buildings in government-controlled areas of Ukraine as of September 2025. While part of this debris has already been removed and sent to landfills, around 11.7 million tonnes still need to be cleared, sorted and processed.
The findings show that up to 70 percent of the remaining debris, equal to about 8.2 million tonnes, could potentially be recycled and reused. This will depend on factors such as contamination levels, sorting quality, building type and site-specific conditions.
The study also identifies 50 construction products that could be produced from recycled debris in Ukraine, including cement, ready-mix concrete and precast concrete products. These materials could support reconstruction while reducing pressure on natural resources.
UNDP noted that recycled materials could become both an environmentally and economically viable resource, especially in regions with large volumes of debris, higher costs for natural raw materials and shorter transport distances to recycling facilities.
The study highlights that private sector participation, market incentives and green public procurement will be important for developing a functioning debris recycling market. It also identifies priority actions for 2026 to 2028, including regulatory reforms, standards development, infrastructure investment and testing recycled materials in construction projects.
Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, said secondary raw materials recovered from war-related debris could support construction material production, reduce pressure on natural resources, promote circular practices and contribute to decarbonization.
UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Auke Lootsma emphasized that Ukraine has a limited window of opportunity to build a national system for debris management, recycling and reuse. He said the approach could help Ukraine address the immediate challenge of war-generated debris while laying the foundation for a future circular economy in construction and demolition waste management.
Since February 2022, Ukraine has faced large-scale destruction, with each attack creating additional debris that may include hazardous materials and explosive remnants. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, UNDP has supported the safe removal and sorting of more than one million tonnes of war-generated debris across eight oblasts while also helping strengthen institutional capacities and regulatory frameworks.
