Uzbekistan generated 14.8mn tons of household waste in 2024, of which over 900,500 tons were processed at 292 specialized enterprises, accounting for 6.1% of the total. Uzbekistan is actively working to improve its waste management system, with a strong focus on recycling and sustainability as part of its transition to a “green” economy.

A key step in this direction is the government’s decision to declare 2025 as the “Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy.” Under this initiative, new legal frameworks are being introduced to enhance waste processing and promote the “zero waste” principle.

The Ministry of Ecology and the Waste Management Agency are implementing measures to accelerate waste recycling through sorting. Uzbekistan currently recycles various types of household waste, including polyethylene, paper, glass, textiles, used technical oils, metals, car tires, and rubber products.

Paper waste recycling is a significant part of these efforts. The country produces between 600,000 and 700,000 tons of paper waste annually. At present, 104 enterprises specialize in processing paper and cardboard, collectively handling 185,600 tons per year. This approach helps return valuable materials to the economy as secondary raw materials.

A recent press tour organized by the Agency for Waste Management and Circular Economy Development highlighted the paper and cardboard recycling process at the “Profpack” enterprise in Tashkent. Located in the “Yangi Hayot” mahalla of the Sergeli district, the facility processes around 2,500 tons of paper waste every month, with a daily processing capacity of up to 100 tons. 

The recycling process involves sorting, shredding, moistening, cleaning, pressing, and drying, ultimately producing reusable materials.