Uzbekistan will introduce ecological fees on selected goods to improve its low recycling rates and reduce landfill waste. The measure was presented by Ecology Minister Aziz Abduhakimov to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on August 14.

According to One.uz, in the first stage, the fee will apply to six categories: batteries and accumulators, vehicles, lubricants, packaging products, tires and rubber tubes, and glass products. Manufacturers will be required to recycle and properly dispose of waste, with collected fees directed into a new fund managed by the Agency for Waste Management and the Development of a Circular Economy. The fund will support recycling projects and provide “green” subsidies.

Uzbekistan generates about 14 million tons of household waste annually, yet only around 5% is recycled. Recycling levels remain particularly low — 17% for tires, 11% for plastics, and 6.3% for glass. Each year, the country produces 1.8 million tons of plastic waste, 647,000 tons of glass, 144,000 tons of e-waste, 250,000 tons of oils, and around 217,000 tons of rubber.

Authorities expect that improving recycling rates could yield significant economic and environmental benefits. For example, recycling paper, plastics, rubber, glass and textiles alone could provide raw materials worth up to 1 trillion soums (approx. USD 80 million) annually.

In parallel, Uzbekistan plans to introduce a disposal fee for construction glass. About 408,000 tons of construction glass waste are generated annually in the country, of which only 9% is recycled.

To learn more, visit the website of the Ministry of Ecology of Uzbekistan.