Kazakhstan to Address Inefficiencies in Waste Disposal through Strategy to be Completed by September
Trash Talk In Kazakhstan: A New Waste Management Strategy By September
In the land of nomads and stardust, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is gearing up to roll out a fresh strategy for waste management. This holistic approach aims to tackle the intricate issues in the field, as discussed by Ablai Almukhanov, deputy director of the ministry's Waste Management Department, in an interview with The Astana Times.
approximately 3,000 landfills litter the country, but only 20% adhere to environmental standards. Pouring through photos of Kazakhstan, a nation that's equally enamored with tech and tradition, reveals the stark contrast between the dusty brown landscapes and the upcoming waste management advancements.
"By September, we ought to serve up a juicy concept encompassing a detailed analysis of the current situation," Almukhanov shared, "We've got our eye on strengths, weaknesses, and the direction we need to be sprinting towards."
Recycling on a LowKey Mode
Over 4.5 million tons of municipal waste make their annual debut in the nation. In 2024, only 26% of waste made it to the recycling bin, which falls short of the government's target of 30%. Almukhanov outlined a green-economy vision that highlights waste management as one of its key targets, hoping to push it to a whopping 40% by 2030.
The low recycling rates in Kazakhstan can be chalked up to several issues, including low economic attractiveness and the failure of current tariffs to cover the true costs of enterprises. Since the 2021 adoption of the new Environmental Code, local officials have been tasked with taking a second look at tariffs and giving them a new lease on life at maslikhats, local representative bodies. As of March, only 155 out of 211 districts and cities across the country have followed suit.
Almukhanov addressed a government meeting in March, suggesting that public-private collaborations might be the key to solving this challenge. He proposed the approval of financially enticing tariffs for municipal solid waste management. The difference between the current and attractive tariffs will be repaid to the private partner from national utilization payments.
Taking Government Action
To support waste recycling enterprises, the ministry introduced a preferential financing mechanism in 2024, providing low-cost loans at 3% through the Industrial Development Fund using recycling fees via Zhasyl Damu. The aim here is to grant entrepreneurs long-term financing to execute projects related to waste transportation, sorting, and recycling.
Almukhanov highlighted that this approach resonates well with investors. A total of 67 projects worth 316.9 billion tenge (US$617.7 million), submitted by local authorities, have been approved by the ministry and the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs. A staggering 43 of these projects focus specifically on waste recycling, which has the potential to boost the nation's recycling capacity by 1.1 million tons.
Another support measure comes in the form of the EcoQoldau program, which rebooted its operations in 2024. This dedicated support program offers financial compensation to companies involved in recycling, providing them with funds for sorting and processing waste. A hefty US$17.9 million has been set aside for 2025.
Unveiling the Hidden Challenges
The new strategy, due in September, aims to implement a more nuanced approach to waste management. One challenge mentioned by Almukhanov is the fragmented waste policy. "Take, for instance, construction waste, which falls under the Ministry of Industry and Construction, but also comes under our jurisdiction as waste regulators," he explained. "We also have medical waste managed jointly with the Ministry of Health, and agricultural waste with the Ministry of Agriculture."
The forthcoming concept will enable the ministry to channel efforts into underdeveloped and overlooked waste streams, such as industrial waste, and create a more united front in the war against waste.
Industrial Scene
The mining and quarrying sectors contribute around 70% of Kazakhstan's massive 1 billion tons of annual industrial waste. The Manufacturing sector follows, with a 15.8% share. Under the Environmental Code, industrial waste management is subject to state regulation, with non-compliance resulting in fines. Between 2022 and 2024, 405 fines worth $27.9 million were doled out for environmental legislation violations related to waste management.
The global recycling industry is booming, with the market for plastic recycling alone projected to rise from $42.4 billion in 2024 to $57.9 billion by 2029. The world is moving towards the zero waste concept, where the four essential steps prioritized before recycling are: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle.
"Our policies center around minimizing the amount of waste sent to landfills. Most waste that ends up there continues to harbor value, serving as secondary raw materials. That's why minimizing waste at the source is our top priority," Almukhanov explained.
Enter Stage Left: Citizen Activists
While government policies may take time, citizen activists are busy making strides, encouraging community action. Since its 2017 debut in Almaty, Darmarka events have carved out a platform that enables people to donate used goods and recycle responsibly.
"Our primary aim is to inspire people to embrace a more eco-conscious lifestyle. Here, anyone can deposit recyclable materials that we all generate daily, like cardboard, paper, or plastic bottles. We also accept items like plastics labeled 6 or 7, and hazardous waste like expired medicines, batteries, and LED bulbs, found in almost every home and requiring special disposal. Clothes are also welcome," Mariyam Kassymova, eco-trainer, and co-organizer of the event, shared with The Astana Times.
Organizers believe that small steps will gradually snowball into meaningful changes, fostering sustainable habits. The key lies in better communication.
"At our eco workshops, we explain how to minimize waste. For instance, switching to a reusable water bottle prevents buying plastic bottles and lessens plastic waste. Gradually, these small habits accumulate. Over time, you'll notice less trash around your home, less strain on landfills, and less environmental harm, all while safeguarding the planet's resources," Kassymova added.
Staying consistent with the theme of earth-friendly decisions, Aida Alimbekova, an eco influencer from Astana, emphasized the importance of implementing science-based approaches for encouraging responsible waste management and recycling.
"There's a framework in behavioral science - FEAST. It stands for fun, easy, attractive, social, and timely. My colleagues and I make waste recycling fun for people. We entertain them. Secondly, we demonstrate easy ways to lead a more sustainable life. Third, we discuss how it is attractive. We show that other people are recycling waste, segregating waste. This is social. Timely - we show examples of how, when making purchases, one can contribute to recycling initiatives," Alimbekova shared, commenting on the topic.
Many experts champion environmental education in kindergartens and schools to stimulate interest in environmental issues among children. This encouragement sustains the notion that living a sustainable life is not a burden but a cool and popular choice that the younger generation can comfortably embrace.
The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in Kazakhstan is not only focusing on waste management but also envisions a future where environmental science and finance are integrated, aiming to boost recycling rates in the country's education-and-self-development sector. The forthcoming waste management strategy aims to tackle the fragmentation of waste policies across various industries, including environmental-science, industry, and education, to create a more united front in promoting sustainable practices.
