Member of the Eurasian Economic Union (from January 2000)

Population: 17,2 Mio

Capital: Astana

According to the Ministry of Environment, the country has accumulated 23 billion tons of municipal solid waste (MSW). Only 3-5% of municipal solid waste is being recycled. About 97% is transported to the dump sites, which pose significant environmental threats to the soil, air (landfill fires), ground water and cities nearby. State supervision over the waste management practices is very poor. The greatest amount of MSW is concentrated in Almaty, the most populous city in the country.

EPR: packaging waste, end-of-life vehicles (ELV), batteries and accumulators (B&A), oils are subject to EPR legislation. The importers must ensure self-compliance or pay a fee to a government-appointed private company called EPR Operator Ltd.