Kazakhstan pushes for eco-tariff on single-use plastic packaging

KAZAKHSTAN – Kazakhstan is taking bold steps to enhance sustainable waste management by introducing a green tax on non-recyclable packaging, with a focus on commonly used yet environmentally damaging plastics, such as PET bottles and polyethylene (PE) containers.

The lower house of the bicameral Parliament of Kazakhstan (Mazhilis) deputy Azhar Sagandykova revealed this initiative at the 9th Eurasian Business Forum on Green Energy & Waste Recycling.

The proposed tax would primarily target polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, plastic bags, and other polyethylene (PE) containers that are challenging to recycle or not biodegradable.

Although widely used in food and beverage packaging, these materials pose significant long-term environmental concerns because they persist in landfills and natural ecosystems without degrading.

Kazakhstan is faced with a pressing issue of waste management, generating approximately 4.5 million tonnes of waste annually, with around 80% originating from municipal sources, according to data provided by Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Zhomart Aliyev.

Currently, only 26% of this waste is being recycled, highlighting the urgent need for more robust regulatory and financial measures to improve recycling efforts.

The proposed green tax is a component of a wider waste management strategy being formulated under the guidance of Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister.

This new framework seeks to tackle structural gaps in the current Environmental Code and may lead to the implementation of a dedicated waste management law by the end of 2025.

The proposed law aims to clearly outline the roles of government and private sector stakeholders, identify the necessary infrastructure requirements, and establish specific incentives to promote sustainable practices.

Sagandykova stated that a Mazhilis working group will consult businesses, environmental groups, and civil society to develop a balanced bill that encourages waste reduction while supporting economic growth.

Additionally, revenue from the proposed tax would support recycling infrastructure, enhance collection systems, and promote sustainable material innovation, encouraging companies to adopt eco-friendly packaging by accounting for environmental costs.

This initiative reflects global trends, such as Extended Producer Responsibility and eco-modulated fees, aiming to hold producers accountable for their environmental impacts.

If successful, Kazakhstan’s green tax could serve as a model for other Central Asian countries, offering a promising solution to waste and packaging issues and a hopeful future for the environment.

Kazakhstan’s green tax initiative marks a significant policy shift toward proactive sustainability, reflecting the growing regional and global recognition of the need for integrated waste solutions amid increasing urbanisation and consumption.

As final legislative debates are anticipated in late 2025, Kazakhstan will be closely watched as it advances efforts to update its environmental policies and champion circular economy principles through packaging reform.

Speaking at the event, Sagandykova emphasised the urgency of overhauling the country’s packaging and waste policies, stating, “It is time to seriously consider introducing a green tax on non-environmentally friendly packaging and directing the funds collected towards the development of waste recycling.” 

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