Kazakhstan’s Eco Campaign Rallies 9 Million, Including 448,000 Volunteers

Kazakh Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mansur Oshurbayev has said that nearly nine million citizens, including over 448,000 volunteers, joined Kazakhstan’s ambitious “Taza Qazaqstan” environmental campaign.

He shared the latest progress of the initiative during a press conference, The Caspian Post reports, citing local media.

Launched in 2024, the campaign has so far organized 874 environmental events across the country, ranging from large-scale cleanups to public awareness campaigns. Among the key nationwide activities are “Taza Kasip - Taza Aimaq,” “Kieli Meken,” “Taza Olke,” and “Moldir Bulaq”, complemented by Kazakhstan’s participation in global initiatives like Earth Hour and International Bird Day.

These collective efforts have resulted in the collection of over 1.4 million tons of waste and the planting of more than 2.4 million trees in both urban and rural areas.

Oshurbayev emphasized that the campaign’s overarching goal is to foster a culture of environmental responsibility, particularly among younger generations. He noted that waste management remains a pressing issue in Kazakhstan, which produces over 4.5 million tons of household waste annually. The national recycling rate stood at just 25.8 per cent in 2024.

To improve waste handling and sustainability, the Kazakh government is actively investing in modern recycling infrastructure. This includes the installation of eco-boxes, reverse vending machines, and the development of waste sorting and recycling facilities. A total of 63 infrastructure projects have been approved, which are expected to raise the annual recycling capacity to 1.1 million tons.

“Solid waste landfills remain a central component of our national waste management strategy,” Oshurbayev stated. As part of a comprehensive government plan adopted in 2023, 100 new landfills will be constructed, eight expanded, and five reclaimed. Additionally, the ministry plans to finance the construction of 43 landfills in 11 regions using funds generated from recycling fees.

The success of “Taza Qazaqstan” highlights Kazakhstan’s growing commitment to sustainable environmental practices and citizen-driven change, setting a strong example for regional ecological leadership.