2025-10-14

Ukraine chooses Nordic labelling system

The Ukrainian government is proposing to adopt the same system that Sweden and a number of other EU countries use to guide waste sorting. 

“It’s great that the Swedish support to Ukraine has had such a concrete effect, and that we will now use the same symbols,” says Andrik Mols, international project manager at Avfall Sverige. “The Nordic labelling system is not just about design – it’s about communication, clarity, and encouraging responsible environmental behaviour.”

The final decision is being prepared, but the responsible department has announced its intention to implement the unified system of waste symbols. It provides clear and consistent visual guidance for separating waste by material type that make recycling easier for households, businesses and local authorities alike.

The idea to use the Nordic labelling system in Ukraine orginates from a study visit by Ukrainian municipalities to Sweden earlier this year. It will facilitate better cooperation between municipalities, waste operators and citizens, creating a shared visual language that strengthens trust and efficiency in waste management. 

“A large proportion of household waste in Ukraine still goes to landfill. But the ambition is high, and I am convinced that the Nordic sign system can help citizens sort waste more effectively at various locations and be an important piece of the puzzle to increase material recycling”.

More information on the Swedish-Ukrainian programme for strengthening of municipal waste management can be found on
• Avfall Sverige´s website 
• Waste Management for Ukraine´s website

The pictogram system, EUpicto https://www.eupicto.com

Senast uppdaterad - 2025-10-14