Unpaid waste service fees could lead to electricity restrictions, Ecology Ministry warns

The debt recovery measures include a new system where subscribers with outstanding waste service payments may face limitations on their electricity access. These alerts are being sent through the short code of Regional Power Grids JSC, informing residents that failure to pay their waste management fees will result in restrictions on electricity usage until the debt is cleared.

According to the Ministry’s press service, numerous citizens are reportedly avoiding payment for waste collection services due to unfounded reasons, such as believing that waste is either not generated from their households, burned, or buried. This widespread refusal or delay in payments has caused the total debt for sanitation services to spike, reaching the current 585 billion UZS across the country.

“In the first phase of our initiative to improve payment discipline, SMS notifications were sent to residents of regional centers who have six months of unpaid waste service fees. Additionally, subscribers who have made full advance payments for 2024 will be exempt from any tariff increases during the year,” the Ministry said.

From April 1, 2024, all utility services, including waste collection, will be subject to VAT as per new legislation, meaning that the service tariffs will now include this tax. Citizens were informed that the waste service fees will be calculated with VAT from this date onwards.

The Ministry also noted that subscribers disputing the amount indicated in the SMS notifications can file verbal complaints by calling the short number 1205.

This initiative follows a presidential decree aimed at improving the waste management system and minimizing its negative environmental impact. Key measures from the decree include:

From June 1, 2024, waste service debts of six months or more in Tashkent, Nukus, and regional centers will result in restrictions on electricity payments.

From November 1, 2024, this policy will be extended to all regions for debts of three months or more.

From January 1, 2025, electricity payments will be restricted for debts of just one month in all regions.