France, Russia May Soon Create Working Group on Waste Management - Environmental Council
Paris and Moscow may soon launch a working group that would deal with waste management issues, President of the European and International Affairs Section of the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (ESEC) Jean-Marie Cambaceres said on Monday
"The topic of waste recycling ... is one of the key issues of our cooperation. France has gathered substantial experience in this area, we have two or three large companies that operate in Russia, and we have French companies working on this issue," Cambaceres, who is also the head of France-Asia association, said at a press conference in the Civic Chamber of Russia.
In the next six months, Russia and France "may create a working group for reciprocal visits to relevant facilities," the official added.
According to ESEC's website, its main aim is to promote "cooperation between different socio-professional groups" and ensure "they are part of the process of shaping and reviewing public policy." The organization does not play any role in adopting any regulations, yet it advises the lawmaking bodies on economic issues.
Russia has been recently taking steps toward improving its waste management policies. In 2017-2018, it adopted laws banning the disposal of waste that contains usable components. They currently apply to wastepaper and tires, as well as to non-ferrous and ferrous metal scraps.