Kharkiv Circular Construction Yard: reusing demolition waste near the front line

Zero waste in a city under bombardment

Zero Waste Kharkiv: a member of the Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine: is running a Circular Construction Yard initiative that reuses demolition waste generated by Russian bombardment. Working close to the front line, the team documents, salvages, and routes reusable construction materials: bricks, steel, wood, and rubble: back into repair and rebuilding projects, keeping them out of landfills and reducing the need for virgin materials.

What the initiative involves

• Identifying and documenting reusable materials from demolished buildings
• Coordinating with construction and repair teams to route salvaged materials to active rebuilding projects
• Researching Ukrainian and EU law on demolition waste to propose stronger circular procurement requirements
• Demonstrating that circular economy principles are applicable even in active conflict conditions

Why it matters

Every city rebuilding from disaster, whether conflict, flood, or earthquake, faces the same question: do we landfill or reuse? Kharkiv's Circular Construction Yard is developing a methodology that can serve any city going through large-scale reconstruction, even under bombardment.

How to engage

• International organisations working in Ukraine: contact Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine (ZWAU) to coordinate salvage logistics with the Circular Construction Yard
• Researchers and policy advocates: ZWAU's legal research on demolition waste regulations is available: support the push for circular procurement mandates in Ukraine's post-war rebuilding plan
• Donors and foundations: the programme runs on limited resources close to the front line; direct support enables its continuation

Source & repost

Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Editorial note: Kharkiv is in an active conflict zone. This programme operates under extraordinary conditions; all participation should be coordinated through established humanitarian and NGO channels.

• Lead: Zero Waste Kharkiv + Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine (ZWAU)
• Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th edition