Modernization of the sector of waste management in Russia: proposals of experts and residents

There are presented the results of the study on the topic of modernization of waste sector in Russia based on expert interviews (n = 30) and interviews with citizens (n = 170) carried out from 2014 to 2019. Both experts and community consider it important to recreate the elements of a model of waste-free production and recycling of materials where programs should include a unified system and a chain of responsible manufacturing, consumption and recycling with a strict system of incentives and sanctions. It is suggested that there should be strengthen the legal control over state and manufacturers and create the instruments of stimulation as well as a comfortable infrastructure for implementation of environmentally responsible practices. However, only 7 % of the population in Russia, and 30 % of the respondents in the sample collect wastes separately, which prevents from implementing the suggested recycling infrastructure. This is why the author considers that parallel measures should be taken presumably by non-commercial organizations and municipal authorities aimed at enlarging the scale of social and environmental practices among the population of Russian cities and towns.