Almaty Launches Recycling Initiative and Waste Processing Program

Beginning in early 2026, thousands of Almaty residents are participating in environmental campaigns focused on recycling, plastic processing, and the reuse of goods. These initiatives are crucial for raising environmental awareness and improving the condition of the local environment.

Among the notable achievements of these campaigns is a monument made from 50,000 plastic bottle caps, almost 1.8 tons of recyclables gathered during city environmental events, and about 60,000 mercury-containing items handed over for disposal. This information was shared by LLP "Eco Almaty".

Throughout the year, Recycle Birge campaigns took place across different districts of the city. Residents could dispose of more than 17 types of waste, including plastic, paper, glass, electronics, and used mercury lamps. Events also featured exchanges of books, clothing, plants, and household items.

Simultaneously, the environmental community ECO Network, in collaboration with the Almaty city administration, is implementing several recycling and waste processing projects. One such project is "The Kind Cap," which consistently involves school children, kindergarten pupils, and other city residents. From 50,000 plastic caps, they created the "Clean Kazakhstan" monument. Additionally, recycled plastic is used to produce keychains, chess sets, Christmas ornaments, and other items.

Since spring, the mobile recycling collection unit "Eco-Truck" has been visiting residential complexes and educational institutions in Almaty. Each event attracts an average of about 150 people, who bring in over 1,200 plastic caps, paper, plastic containers, and other waste. Specific sites accept used batteries and mercury-containing products.

On October 20, one of the latest "Eco-Truck" events took place at School-Gymnasium No. 209. Students, along with their parents and teachers, participated in waste recycling, made keychains from recycled plastic, and planted trees on the school grounds.

Separate waste collection is also organized at major city events. For instance, during the Almaty Marathon on September 27, nearly 1.8 tons of plastic, cardboard, and other materials were collected for recycling.

In addition to mobile units, Almaty hosts Eco-Hubs that accept various types of recyclables. Special attention is given to hazardous waste that should not be discarded with regular trash. In the first nine months of 2026, LLP "Eco Almaty" disposed of approximately 60,000 mercury-containing items.

Special boxes for expired medication, introduced in the summer of 2025, are installed in 38 city clinics. Since then, residents have handed in nearly 1.2 tons of medical waste.

All activities are conducted as part of the national initiative "Clean Kazakhstan." Residents are educated on properly sorting household waste and where to dispose of hazardous materials.

Photo: gov.kz