Uzbekistan plans to introduce an environmental fee on certain types of goods. told the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov, in a presentation to the president on Thursday.
At the first stage, it is proposed to establish an environmental fee on:
- batteries and accumulators,
- vehicles,
- lubricants,
- packaging products,
- tires and rubber tubes,
- glass products.
According to the presidential press service, 14 million tons of household waste are accumulated in the country annually, but the ratio of their recycling remains low. Thanks to recycling projects in recent years, this figure has reached 5%.
Every year, 144 thousand tons of electronic waste accumulated in Uzbekistan (140 thousand tons were reported in 2024), 1.8 million tons of plastic, 647 thousand tons of glass, 250 thousand tons of oils and 217 thousand tons of rubber. At the same time, tire recycling currently accounts for 17%, glass - 6.3%, plastics - 11.2%.
Waste is mainly dumped into landfills, which pollute the air, water and soil.
In this regard, it is planned to oblige require manufacturers to recycle and dispose of waste. It is planned to set up a special fund for recycling collection with public participation under the Agency for Waste Management and Circular Economy Development. From the funds of this fund, "green" subsidies will be allocated for recycling projects.
Only through the recycling of paper, plastic, rubber, glass and textile waste, it is possible to obtain raw materials worth up to 1 trillion soums. The areas of recycling construction, chemical, electronic, technical waste and industrial oils also remain promising.
Earlier in Uzbekistan it is also planned to introduce a recycling fee for construction glass. The relevant bill was approved in the first reading by the MPs of the Legislative Chamber in July. Meanwhile, it was reported that about 408 thousand tons of glass waste is accumulated annually in Uzbekistan, but only 9% is recycled.
