According to government officials, extensive work was carried out in the republic last year, covering Karakalpakstan and eight other regions. In particular, six landfills were closed in Andijan and Fergana regions, five in Kashkadarya, and three in Tashkent and Namangan regions. This year, the liquidation of 18 landfills, which occupied more than 81.5 hectares, has already been completed.
Thus, out of 185 landfills registered with the Waste Management Agency, 47 have already been reclaimed. In addition, the operations of 42 waste collection landfills have been closed, allowing about 90 hectares of land to be returned to natural use.
These actions are being carried out under the decree of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, issued in early 2024, which concerns the improvement of the waste management system and the reduction of its impact on the ecology.
Furthermore, the process of closing landfills is being implemented in accordance with point 72 of the "Uzbekistan - 2030" Strategy, which provides for the phased closure of such facilities by 2030. According to the established indicators, this year it is planned to reduce the number of operating landfills by 20%, and by 2030 - by 50%.
In recent years, waste incineration plants and similar enterprises have been actively developing in Uzbekistan. In 2022, the country's president announced a number of incentives for businesses engaged in waste collection and recycling.
In September of this year, the first plant in the republic that produces thermal energy by burning medical waste was opened in Tashkent.
