10-07-202656
According to scientists, every person on Earth consumes approximately 5 grams of microplastic particles per week — equivalent to the size of a credit card. Plastic waste pollution is becoming an increasingly pressing ecological and social issue both globally and in Uzbekistan specifically. In recent years, the use of plastic products has increased significantly, yet the infrastructure for their recycling and disposal remains underdeveloped. This situation has a detrimental impact on the environment, public health, and the economy. The experience of the European Union (EU) can serve as a practical guide for Uzbekistan.
Directions for Integrating EU Experience into Uzbekistan
In the EU, the Directive on 'Single-Use Plastic Products' entered into force in 2021. Under this directive, products such as spoons, knives, drinking straws, and containers were removed from the market. EU producers bear financial and logistical responsibility for the disposal of their products — a system known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The European Commission allocates grants, subsidies, and tax incentives to encourage the production of glass and recyclable materials. Furthermore, through initiatives such as 'Plastic Free Europe,' particular emphasis is placed on cultivating an ecological culture among the population.
Germany
Germany has introduced a deposit on plastic packaging ranging from 8 to 25 cents, depending on the type of container being returned: beverage bottles with screw caps (at a higher rate), aluminium cans, single-use plastic containers, and reusable glass and plastic containers for milk and yoghurt. A deposit of between €0.75 and €1.50 is also applied to glass bottles in multi-pack cases.
Through the 'Pfand' system, consumers recover a portion of the deposit paid when returning glass and recyclable containers. Vending machines operating under the Pfand system are available in all shops; they accept reusable or recyclable containers, sort them, and return part of the deposit to the consumer. The machine issues a receipt, which must then be presented at the shop's cash register.
This system contributes to waste recycling and reduction. The recycling infrastructure is highly automated, and the public participates actively in the process.
France
France has banned plastic bags since 2020. A complete phase-out of all plastic packaging is planned by 2026. Subsidies are provided for the production of biodegradable materials, and restaurants and supermarkets are transitioning to glass containers.
Environmental Initiatives
In Uzbekistan, the activities of eco-clubs in higher educational institutions are currently expanding. Students at Tashkent State Technical University, Urgench State University, and other universities regularly participate in environmental clean-up campaigns. In the context of these events, seminars on sorting and recycling plastic waste and promoting the use of glass containers are also being organised.
Moreover, since 2023 — within the framework of International Zero Waste Day (30 March) — the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan has been conducting the national 'Zero Waste' eco-campaign in collaboration with the Ecological Party. Volunteers clean up designated areas, collecting plastic bottles, aluminium cans, and paper waste and delivering them to special collection points. In March 2025, a mass 'plogging' eco-campaign was held on the occasion of International Zero Waste Day — plogging being an ecological sport that combines walking or jogging with litter collection. During the event, approximately 3,000 participants cleaned 58 territories (approximately 150 hectares) across Tashkent and the republic, collecting 349.8 tonnes of waste, which was sorted and delivered to recycling facilities.
A National Programme for Reducing Plastic Pollution is currently being developed in Uzbekistan. Under its provisions, a ban on the production, import, and use of plastic bags is proposed by 2027, along with measures to encourage the use of biodegradable, environmentally safe alternative materials.
Within the framework of legislative initiatives aimed at reducing plastic waste, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan is working on a new regulatory instrument. The draft envisages organising the recycling of glass containers, introducing specialised collection points, and developing the necessary technical infrastructure for carrying out disposal processes.
Areas of Harmonisation with EU Experience
• Strengthening legislation — as in the EU, Uzbekistan is preparing a draft law banning single-use plastic products. Implementing this initiative would stimulate a transition to glass, paper, and biodegradable materials.
• Economic incentives and subsidies — providing tax concessions, subsidies, and innovation grants to manufacturers using glass and recyclable materials would orient the market towards environmentally friendly products.
• Information and educational campaigns — as in the EU, campaigns informing the public about the hazards of plastic containers and the benefits of glass must be conducted through the media, schools, and civil society organisations.
• Strengthening producer responsibility — imposing responsibility on plastic product manufacturers and importers for recycling and disposal will contribute to reducing waste volumes.
• Developing glass container recycling infrastructure — establishing and expanding glass container collection points, dedicated collection services, and recycling plants in cities and districts will strengthen the circulation of glass products.
Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Goal
Relevant Measures in Uzbekistan
Sustainable Consumption and Production
Restricting plastic, promoting glass, producer responsibility
Climate Action
Reducing CO₂ emissions through decreased plastic waste
Conservation of Oceans and Water Ecosystems
Protecting water resources by limiting plastic pollution
Infrastructure and Innovation
Glass recycling plants, technology grants, and start-ups
Partnership for the Goals
Integrating EU experience, international grants, and expert engagement
Plastic pollution is not only a global environmental challenge but also a serious threat to human health and economic sustainability. The experience of the European Union and other states demonstrates that moving away from plastic and transitioning to ecological alternatives such as glass is not only a practical but also a strategically sound solution. If the reforms underway in Uzbekistan are aligned with European experience, significant steps will have been taken towards reducing plastic pollution, protecting the environment, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. By harmonising state programmes, legislative initiatives, and public participation, Uzbekistan is positioned to transition to an environmentally clean, glass-based economy.
If measures encompassing the strengthening of legislation, economic incentives, broader public awareness efforts, enhanced producer responsibility, and infrastructure development are implemented in harmony with European experience, they will serve as a foundation for ensuring environmental cleanliness, increasing economic efficiency, improving public health, and fostering a culture of sustainable consumption and responsible conduct within society. These actions, consistent with the SDGs, will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening Uzbekistan's standing in global rankings.
Chief Specialist, Centre for Sustainable Development
Shukhrat Khojimurodov