Sienkevych: French firm Veolia has shown interest in the waste sorting tender in Mykolaiv

A screenshot of Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych’s speech during the session

In Mykolaiv, the international French company Veolia has expressed an interest in participating in the tender for the management of the household waste sorting complex.

This was announced by Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych during the discussion on approving the updated operating procedures for the household waste sorting complex at the city council session on 14 May, according to NikVesti.

According to the mayor, a French delegation from the Narbonne-Ukraine organisation, which included a representative from Veolia, recently visited Mykolaiv.

«We had guests from France from the «Narbonne-Ukraine» organisation, including a representative from Veolia, which is an international company involved, among other things, in water treatment and solid household waste management. They also expressed an interest in participating in this tender and will consider the possibility of taking part once it is announced. In order for us to restart this process, we need to vote on this draft decision,» noted Oleksandr Sienkevych.

Background: Veolia is one of France’s leading companies in the field of environmental solutions and municipal services, with its head office in Paris. The company is involved in water treatment and supply, waste processing and disposal, provides energy services, including the maintenance of heating networks and energy equipment, and also operates in the transport infrastructure sector.

The waste sorting process. Screenshot from Veolia’s corporate video

Veolia has been operating in Ukraine since 1995 and is active in the waste management sector through its divisions in Kyiv, Ternopil and Chernivtsi. The company employs around 350 people in Ukraine and utilises over 100 units of specialised equipment in its operations.

The waste sorting process. Screenshot from Veolia’s corporate video

It should be noted that this is not the first time the issue has been considered at a session. At the meeting on 26 March, members of the Mykolaiv City Council were unable to approve the updated operating procedures for the household waste sorting facility.

It should be noted that the tender procedure was finalised taking into account the working group’s recommendations. It was supported by members of the executive committee at the meeting on 25 March.

Earlier, Ihor Nabatov told NikVesti that the terms regarding the contract’s duration had changed slightly. It will now last for no more than 15 years, but with the option to extend it for a further 10 years upon completion.

The situation regarding the construction of a waste sorting line in Mykolaiv

The issue of waste sorting in Mykolaiv was raised as far back as 2019, when the cost of two lines was estimated at approximately 10 million hryvnias. At the time, Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych insisted that the costs should be borne by investors, not the city budget. Although a waste management programme was adopted, it never came to fruition.

The Supreme Court ruled that the city council’s inaction was unlawful and ordered the construction of a sorting line, as the landfill, which has been in operation since 1972, has reached the end of its useful life.

In 2024, councillors approved the operating procedures for the solid waste sorting complex and announced an investment tender. The first tender did not take place, and the second was won by Waste To Energy Niko LLC. However, the company received only the minimum required score, and councillors and the head of the regional state administration, Vitalii Kim, criticised the lack of transparency in the procedure and the unfavourable terms.

Law enforcement authorities opened an investigation and carried out searches at the city council. At the session on 28 August, councillors did not support the approval of the contract with the winner. The city authorities are preparing new tender conditions. Oleksandr Sienkevych stated that the process would be public, involving international partners, notably from Denmark.

Read also the article by NikVesti: «How Mykolaiv plans to start sorting waste».