Kazakhstan (KZ)
Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country by area and the largest landlocked nation — a vast Central Asian republic stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, encompassing endless steppes, dramatic canyons, and the remnants of the ancient Silk Road.
Recycling & Waste in Kazakhstan
Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.
Kazakhstan's recycling infrastructure is developing under the Ecological Code (2021) and EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) regulations. Mandatory separate waste collection is being rolled out across Almaty and Astana, with dedicated recycling containers (раздельный сбор) appearing in residential courtyards and near shopping centres. EPR Phase 2 regulations (effective April 2026) expand obligations for plastic, electronics, and tyre producers. There is no national consumer deposit return system for beverage containers — bottles and cans are recycled through separate-collection bins and the EcoQoldau programme (which subsidises recycling enterprises).
The Bin System
Paper and Cardboard
BlueБумага и картон
- ✓Newspapers and magazines (without plastic coating)
- ✓Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- ✓Office paper, notebooks
- ✓Paper packaging and bags
- ✓Paper cups (check local guidance)
- ✗Wax-coated or laminated paper
- ✗Thermal receipts (cash register receipts)
- ✗Paper contaminated with food or grease
- ✗Carbon paper
Plastics and Metal
YellowПластик и металл
- ✓Clean PET plastic bottles (type 1)
- ✓HDPE containers (type 2)
- ✓Aluminium cans (clean)
- ✓Steel tins and food cans (rinsed)
- ✓Plastic caps and closures
- ✓Clean plastic packaging
- ✗Polystyrene foam / пенопласт
- ✗Plastic film bags (check local scheme)
- ✗Food-contaminated containers (rinse first)
- ✗Mixed-material laminate packaging
Glass
GreenСтекло
- ✓Glass bottles (beer, wine, water)
- ✓Glass jars and food containers
- ✓Clear, green, and brown glass
- ✗Broken glass (wrap safely and place in general waste)
- ✗Ceramics and porcelain
- ✗Light bulbs (special disposal)
- ✗Window glass and mirrors
- ✗Crystal glassware
General Waste
Grey or BlackПрочие отходы / ТБО (твёрдые бытовые отходы)
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable mixed packaging
- ✓Contaminated waste
- ✓Items not accepted in other bins
- ✓Hygiene products
- ✗Electronic waste (e-waste)
- ✗Batteries
- ✗Medical and sharps waste
- ✗Hazardous chemicals
- ✗Bulky furniture items
No national deposit return scheme (informal glass bottle returns only) — Bottle Deposit System
Kazakhstan does not have a national consumer-facing deposit return scheme for beverage containers as of mid-2026. Kazakhstan is not on any international list of operational DRS countries. EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) Phase 2 regulations (effective April 2026) impose obligations on plastic and electronics producers, but these are business-to-business regulations — no consumer deposit is charged at point of sale. The EcoQoldau programme provides financial subsidies to recycling enterprises per tonne of collected polymer waste, but consumers do not pay or receive a bottle deposit. An informal tradition exists of returning glass beer and soft drink bottles to small shops and kiosks for a small payment — this is retailer/brand specific and not standardised.
No official consumer deposit amount. Informal glass bottle returns: ₸15–50 per bottle at willing shops — not standardised, brand and retailer dependent. No PET or can deposit scheme is operational.
For glass bottles: ask the retailer or kiosk (самсушная, дукан) if they accept returns — some small shops near breweries or beverages distributors do. For all other containers: rinse and place in the yellow (plastics/metal) or green (glass) separate-collection bins in your residential courtyard, or take to EcoPark Almaty (1 Krivoguzova Street) or similar collection points.
Special Disposal
Recycling collection points at major electronics retailers: Sulpak, Mechta, TechnoCity. EcoPark Almaty (1 Krivoguzova Street, Almaty). Authorised e-waste collection services listed at ecoalmaty.kz. Some municipalities hold quarterly e-waste collection days.
Never place in general waste. Manufacturer take-back programmes are expanding under EPR Phase 2 (from April 2026). Screens, phones, laptops, and small appliances all qualify.
Battery collection bins at most large supermarkets: Magnum, Aport, Ramstore. All major electronics stores: Sulpak, Mechta. Growing network of street-level battery collection points in Almaty and Astana.
Critical — batteries contain mercury, lead, and cadmium. Never place in general waste. Kazakhstan's battery recycling network has expanded significantly since 2022.
Expired or unused medicines: return to any licensed pharmacy (аптека) — pharmacies are legally obligated to accept unwanted medicines. Sharps (needles, lancets): sealed sharps containers to your polyclinic or clinic.
Never flush medicines down the toilet or drain. Medical waste from home care: contact your polyclinic for safe disposal guidance.
Authorised car service centres (СТО) accept used engine oil. Specialised hazardous waste collection points in Almaty and Astana — ask at your service station.
Pouring used oil down drains or onto soil is a serious environmental offence with significant fines under the Ecological Code.
EcoPark Almaty, 1 Krivoguzova Street, accepts: paints, solvents, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, glues. Call ahead for current opening hours. Similar hazardous waste drop-off points exist in Astana — check akimat (city administration) website.
Includes paint, solvents, pesticides, and industrial cleaning products. Never mix into general waste or pour down drains.
Contact your building management company (УК/КСК) or the city waste service (GorKomHoz in Almaty) to arrange scheduled collection. Usable items: list for free or for sale on OLX.kz. Some charities and mosques accept donated furniture.
Do not leave large items in the courtyard or next to bins without arranging formal collection — this can result in administrative fines.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ! Placing food-contaminated containers in recycling bins — always rinse plastic and glass before recycling.
- ! Putting batteries and small electronics in general waste — use dedicated collection points.
- ! Leaving large items in the courtyard without contacting building management for collection.
- ! Pouring used cooking oil down the drain — collect in a sealed container and dispose at EcoPark.
- ! Not flattening cardboard boxes before placing in the blue paper bin.
Practical Tips
- → Almaty's "Zelyony Patroul" (Зелёный Патруль / Green Patrol) holds regular clean-up events in parks and mountains — a great way to meet eco-minded locals.
- → Reusable bags are increasingly available; some supermarkets charge ₸10–30 for single-use plastic bags.
- → Kazakhstan's mountain and steppe ecosystems are fragile — when hiking or camping, pack out all waste.
- → EcoPark Almaty hosts educational events and family tours about sustainable waste management.
- → Scrap metal collectors (приём металлолома) pay cash for aluminium cans and other scrap — look for yellow/green kiosks in residential areas.