Pollution from waste in Archangelsk region, north-west Russia

The first list identifying environmental ‘hot spots’ in the Russian part of the Barents region was prepared in 1995. An updated report, prepared by the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation in collaboration with the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme in 2003, lists 42 hot spots and proposals for 52 investment projects to mitigate the environmental impact of these hot spots, which are given priority based on appreciation of the impacts they have on ecosystems and population. The Barents Hot Spots Facility (BHSF) programme, which receives funding from the governments of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, aims to reduce the environmental problems described in the hot spots list. The nuclear safety sector is not included. From October 2007 to February 2008, a project concerning pollution abatement opportunities in the waste management sector in the Archangelsk region was carried out within the BHSF programme. The objective of the project was to analyse toxic solid waste in the hot spot of Archangelsk Oblast and make recommendations for technical assistance and possible BHSF funding. In this article, the situation in the Archangelsk region is described and conclusions are drawn for the actions needed.