Annotation: The article analyzes the concept of "waste" in accordance with the current legislation, and also draws attention to the conflict of norms in different regulatory acts which accommodate this concept. The author examines the methodology of safe waste management and explores the possibilities of reducing and preventing waste generation in comparison with the experience of the European Union. In addition, the author highlights the legal problems of Ukraine in waste management, points out that the environmental legislation of Ukraine is still developing, but at the same time, offers its own ways of solving the problems outlined.