The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports the Kyrgyz Republic in implementing its national priorities for reducing plastic waste, including the introduction of separate waste collection and recycling, a phased ban on single-use plastics, the development of a circular economy, the promotion of biodegradable alternatives, and raising environmental awareness among the population, UNDP in Kyrgyzstan reported.
Every day, the amount of plastic waste in Kyrgyzstan continues to grow. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, the country produces over 180,000 tons of solid household waste annually, of which up to 15% is plastic. Most of this plastic accumulates in landfills, polluting the soil, water, and air, with only a small fraction being recycled.
However, waste is a valuable resource. In Kyrgyzstan’s Batken, it has been proven that even in a small town, a system can be created that not only addresses environmental issues but also boosts the development of a green economy. Thanks to the project “Public Sorting Space in Batken City,” implemented with the support of the GEF Small Grants Programme under UNDP, a comprehensive and sustainable waste management system has been established in the city.
A recycling collection point was opened in Batken, where any resident can bring waste—plastic, paper, or metal—and receive compensation. As part of the project, equipment was purchased to launch the production of synthetic padding, an in-demand insulation material made from plastic bottles, in partnership with the local recycling company “Batken Chistaya Zona.” This not only reduced the amount of waste but also created new jobs: two at the collection point and three in production.
The project went beyond just infrastructure. Environmental trainings were held in schools, universities, and local administrations, involving over 2,500 people, including schoolchildren, students, women, government representatives, and activists. Participants were taught about waste sorting, the dangers of plastic, and how everyone can contribute to preserving nature. The culmination of this awareness-raising effort was the Trash Festival—a large-scale event in the region dedicated to the topic of waste.
Photo: UNDP in Kyrgyzstan
