The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new procedure for managing plastic waste. The corresponding decree was signed by the Chairman of the Cabinet Adylbek Kasymaliev.
The procedure outlines rules for the collection, storage, and processing of plastic waste for both legal entities and individuals, regardless of their organizational or legal form.
According to the document, government authorities, including local government bodies, as well as all legal entities and individuals, are required to comply with legislation in the field of waste management and the maintenance of sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population when carrying out activities related to plastic waste.
- Scope of application. The regulation covers all types of plastic waste, except for radioactive, medical, and those containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
- Separate collection. The obligation to separate plastic waste by type and label is being introduced. Local government bodies, in cooperation with waste management operators, must create conditions for the public to dispose of, accept, and separately collect plastic waste. Collection points must have appropriately designed and labeled containers.
- Territory cleanup. Local authorities will determine schemes and locations for natural and tourist sites (mountains, forests, lakes, rivers) and assign responsible parties for quarterly plastic cleanups. Operators, plastic producers, the public, and tourist site owners will be involved.
- Prohibitions. It is forbidden to overload collection points or litter natural/tourist areas with plastic waste. Burying recyclable plastics is prohibited. Storage of heavily contaminated plastic containers with food and liquid remains together with clean waste is prohibited. Storage of fine plastic waste (microplastics) is prohibited.
- Transportation. Plastic waste must be transported in properly equipped vehicles (with covers) and with accompanying documentation (invoice, waybill, contract).
- Storage. Temporary storage (up to six months) is allowed at production sites, recycling collection points, or specialized facilities under certain conditions (e.g., insufficient capacity or accumulation of transport batches). Storage areas must be equipped (e.g., solid surface, canopy).
- Recycling. Plastic waste must be processed using environmentally safe methods (mechanical, chemical, or thermal) in a zero-waste manner. Recycling facilities must comply with national laws, have permits, carry out industrial monitoring, use treatment systems, and prevent discharge of untreated wastewater.
- Operators and responsibilities. The term «Plastic Waste Management Operator» is introduced, referring to a legal or natural person engaged in collection, transportation, or recycling. Operators must register with the authorized environmental agency. Registered operators may receive financial support from the Extended Producer Responsibility operator for meeting recycling standards and building infrastructure. Operators must also submit regular reports.
- Usage reduction: The public, producers, and importers must take measures to reduce plastic use, transition to reusable and eco-friendly packaging, and stop the free distribution of plastic bags.
- Control and liability: Government bodies and local authorities will conduct outreach and take action in cases of non-compliance. Violations are subject to penalties under the Code of Offenses.
It is emphasized that the approved procedure does not apply to radioactive, medical plastic waste, or waste containing POPs.
