Over 10% of Uzbekistan’s waste is plastic, but recycling capacity remains insufficient – Ministry of Ecology

Uzbekistan generates 10.2 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, with plastic waste making up 10.3% (1.05 million tons) of this total.

Plastic production enterprises operate in almost every region of the country, manufacturing products such as plastic tableware and bags. The widespread use of plastic items, including polyethylene bags, is evident among the Uzbek population, the Ministry of Ecology noted.

Additionally, Uzbekistan imports significantly more plastic products than it exports. In 2023, the country imported 158,500 tons of plastic goods worth $487.5 million, while exports amounted to 47,300 tons worth $90.1 million. The share of plastic imports in 2023 increased by 54.6% compared to 2020.

Challenges in plastic waste management

The inventory identified several systemic problems hindering effective plastic waste management, according to the Ministry of Ecology.

First, the country's recycling infrastructure requires development. The limited number of recycling facilities reduces the capacity for effective waste disposal, particularly for key polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Second, the absence of a waste segregation system significantly complicates the efficient use of existing recycling capacities. A low level of environmental awareness among the population further exacerbates the problem: many people are insufficiently informed about the importance of waste sorting and the negative consequences of plastic pollution, the ministry emphasized.

The ministry highlighted the need for infrastructure development to effectively manage plastic waste. Expanding the number of recycling enterprises, especially those focused on polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET, would significantly reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills and improve the economic viability of recycling.

Developing a waste segregation system would enhance the quality of recyclable raw materials, lower sorting costs, and accelerate the recycling process, the ministry stated.

Additionally, educational campaigns aimed at increasing environmental awareness among the population are necessary. These could include informational programs as well as practical initiatives, such as waste sorting programs in schools and workplaces.

Legislative measures and investment opportunities

According to the ministry, improvements to the legislative framework are also needed, including:

- Introducing mandatory quotas for plastic recycling and restrictions on single-use plastic products;

- Gradually banning the production and import of plastic items and packaging, especially those containing harmful chemicals and dyes;

- Implementing extended producer and importer responsibility systems;

- Encouraging manufacturers and importers to produce environmentally friendly alternatives (such as biodegradable, paper, knitted, or cotton products) to replace plastic goods and packaging.

Creating favorable conditions for investors in the recycling sector will help develop the industry and implement advanced technologies, the ministry stated.

It is worth noting that Uzbekistan is already taking steps to improve the situation, including the introduction of waste segregation, restrictions on the production and use of certain types of plastic, and the expansion of recycling capacities.

The results of the plastic waste inventory will be uploaded to the official website of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions.