Ministry of Ecology: SMEs in waste recycling are on rise

Speaking on behalf of Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Magzum Mirzagaliyev, executive secretary Sabit Nurlybay reminded that the United Nations adopted the sustainable development goals back in 2015 setting the strategies for UN countries by 2030.

“The waste recycling sector’s development will contribute to the SDGs and the formation of circular economy, green gas reduction and alternative energy resources’ production. Given the enhanced commitments, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises in waste recycling has gone up from 115 in 2016 to 150 in 2018”, Sabit Nurlybay cited the Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources.

According to Vera Mustafina, Executive Director at Kazakhstan’s Waste Management Association “KazWaste”, the core objectives in the area of waste management need to aim at improving the existing ones, creating and introducing new technology.

“Future waste management is about to meet the new principles announced by the international community – 3D: decentralization – to capture each home and citizen with waste collection, market regulation; decarbonization – to reduce green gas from waste, especially methane from organic waste, to adhere to low-carbon technologies; and digitalization – to roll out the GPS system on special transport, chips in containers, to automate production, “smart logistics”, interactive waste management maps, mobile apps, and so on”, Vera Mustafina said.

Public Affairs and Communications manager of Coca-Cola in the Caucasus and Central Asia region Alexandra Akkerman remined the Company had been dealing with packaging and recycling issues for a while and was willing to cooperate with all interested parties.

“The company runs the project called “3.2.1 Start” meant to support startups of young entrepreneurs who undertake the courses of the basics of entrepreneurship under the condition they will create an environment friendly business, enterprises in waste management. There are a number of such successful startups, with one of them to supply plastic panels. Another startup is engaged in plastic jewelry production, production of watches using plastic”, she said.

One of the major projects is a three-year project slated for this year and is planned to cover over 4 million people of Kazakhstan in 4-5 major cities of the country. The project implies some steps including work with collectors, recyclers to define the ideal ways towards waste management, physical ways of waste collection and transportation, with the latter being non-efficient in terms of cost due to its light weight. Work is expected to set up centers for collecting and pressing plastic, further transporting it to manufacturers. The next step is work with consumers, holding events, and publishing videos on social networks, preparing information materials to make people separate waste.

The Forum is held by Kazakhstan’s Waste Management Association “KazWaste” and the ERBA European-Russian Business Association sponsored by the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the Astana International Financial Center, bringing together experts, representatives of government agencies, including the newly established Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources, facilities involved in waste recycling and alternative energy and equipment manufacturers.

Adlet Seilkhanov