Meeting Highlights New Approaches to Plastic Waste Management and Recycling

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A meeting was held in Tashkent, a capital city of Uzbekistan, to address the growing challenge of plastic packaging waste, strengthen local recycling systems, and promote inclusive waste management practices. Organized by Coca-Cola, the event brought together government officials, international organizations, and sustainability experts to discuss strategies for reducing waste and advancing circular economy initiatives.

Representatives from the National Commiitee of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, UNDP, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Council of Foreign Investors, UzBev and circular economy specialists discussed key issues, including waste collection and recycling systems, the adoption of innovative technologies, and support for local initiatives to build a more transparent and efficient waste management infrastructure.

Nazee Aripdjanova

Opening the session, Nazee Aripdjanova, Coca-Cola’s Director for Government Relations, Communications, and Sustainability in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, introduced a new platform, “Partnership for a Circular Tomorrow” (PACT), which was launched jointly by the Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) and the Global Environmental and Technology Fund (GETF).

She noted that the first phase of the program is already underway in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

PACT aims to tackle global environmental challenges related to plastic waste while supporting local initiatives and organizations.

The program focuses on empowering waste sector workers, scaling up emerging enterprises, and fostering circular innovations, contributing to improved quality of life.

In Uzbekistan, the local PACT partner is the startup Wasteless, established in 2021 with financial backing from Coca-Cola.

Murod Khusanov

Wasteless Founder Murod Khusanov emphasized that the project’s primary goal is to create a transparent, digital, and inclusive system for collecting and recycling PET bottles, with active participation from businesses, educational institutions, and vulnerable groups.

“Waste is a global problem that cannot be solved by any one country alone. As consumption rises, so does the volume of plastic waste, and low public awareness makes sorting difficult,” Khusanov said.

He added that the Wasteless app connects consumers with recycling companies, allows partner organizations to track collection volumes and routes in real time using smart logistics, and ensures financial transparency, including payments to informal collectors.

A central collection and sorting hub is already operational in Tashkent, equipped with pressing machinery and specialized transport. Plans are underway to open at least ten automated collection points for PET bottles and aluminum cans in the capital and other cities, with pilot expansions planned for Samarkand, Fergana, and Nukus.

Dilnoza Kamilova

Dilnoza Kamilova, a representative of the Waste Management and Circular Economy Development Agency, highlighted that Uzbekistan generates 1.8 million tons of plastic waste annually, accounting for 6.2% of total household waste, yet only 3.6% of plastic is recycled. Of 292 waste processing enterprises in the country, only 2.7% handle plastics.

Participants stressed the need to raise public awareness about the environmental impact of plastic waste and the importance of recycling, while also discussing the challenges faced by recycling companies.

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