Author: Olga Likhograi
Mentor: Ainur Koskina
This year, the construction of three waste incineration plants — in Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent — has once again become a hot topic in Kazakhstan. In the spring, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan even announced the start of construction of the first plant in Almaty for the summer of this year. The main reason is the enormous amount of waste piling up in landfills across the country.
In the publication, the author raises an important issue for Kazakhstan — landfills in many cities have long been overflowing. Dumpsites burn uncontrollably, while environmentalists argue that incineration plants are dangerous. Officials, however, insist otherwise, citing European experience and claiming that waste incineration is necessary. Yet in Europe itself, there is a shift away from incineration in favor of recycling. Recycling is an excellent solution to preserve the environment, improve waste management, and stimulate the economy. Examples of such solutions already exist in Kazakhstan, and they are described in detail in the article.
The full article, prepared by the project resident, can be read at the following link https://www.ng.kz/modules/news/article.php?storyid=56985