In recent years, the environmental agenda in Kazakhstan has expanded significantly. While environmental issues were previously associated in the public consciousness with cleanups and landfill elimination, today the focus is on fostering environmental awareness, implementing modern waste recycling technologies, digital environmental monitoring, and international cooperation.

Today, Kazakhstan’s environmental policy has been constitutionally enshrined: environmental protection and the mitigation of environmental risks are recognized as rights and responsibilities of the state and citizens. This means that environmental stewardship has become not only a matter of programs and initiatives, but also part of the country’s Basic Law—a guarantee of sustainable development and quality of life for future generations.

The New Environmental Code: What Kazakhstanis Need to Know

One of the most important steps was the entry into force of the new Environmental Code of Kazakhstan on July 1, 2021. The document was developed in accordance with OECD standards and enshrined the “polluter pays and corrects” principle.

The primary focus is not on eliminating the consequences of environmental damage, but on its prevention. The Code calls for the implementation of best available technologies at enterprises, strengthened environmental monitoring, increased transparency of environmental information, and more active public participation in decision-making.

Particular attention is paid to issues of industrial and radiation safety, as well as to improving mechanisms for environmental assessment of projects.

Solving waste problems

Waste management remains one of the most pressing environmental issues. Projects to develop waste recycling and sorting are currently being implemented in Kazakhstan. Eleven waste management projects have already been launched under the preferential financing mechanism using recycling fees. Furthermore, the construction of three waste incineration plants is planned in Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent.

Digital tools are also being developed. Through the EcoQolday program, citizens and businesses receive support for collecting and recycling waste. Thanks to the program, approximately 103,400 tons of waste have already been recycled.

The next step should be the implementation of the Concept for the Management of All Types of Waste for 2026–2030, which provides for the further development of recycling infrastructure and a reduction in the volume of waste disposal.

“Taza Kazakhstan”: ecology as part of everyday life

The Concept for the Development of Environmental Culture “Taza Kazakhstan” for 2024–2029, initiated by the Head of State, occupies a special place. Its main goal is to foster environmentally responsible behavior among citizens and a caring attitude toward the environment.

In 2025 alone, the initiative collected 844,000 tons of waste and cleaned 1.1 million hectares of land. 6.9 million people participated in environmental events.

Environmental education is becoming a key focus. Over the past year, more than a thousand environmental videos and films have been produced, over three thousand educational events have been held, and nearly 1,600 volunteer projects have been implemented.

Environmental education also plays a vital role. Nearly 39,000 schoolchildren participated in the ProEko environmental project competition, and the network of “Zhasyl Balabaqsha” preschools has expanded to 186 kindergartens. The first Eco-Hub has opened in Astana, hosting educational events, workshops, and demonstrations of modern waste recycling technologies.

Digital monitoring and the fight against landfills

One of the most notable results of environmental work has been the reduction in the number of illegal dumps. While 8,884 illegal dumps were identified in the country in 2020, their number dropped to 3,828 in 2025.

Moreover, the elimination rate increased from 66% to 97%. Since the beginning of 2026, space monitoring has identified an additional 884 illegal dumpsites, of which about a quarter have already been eliminated. Today, the space monitoring system covers 46 territories of Kazakhstan, including specially protected natural areas and national parks.

To improve efficiency, local executive bodies were given direct access to the system, and in April of this year, a special Operational Headquarters for the elimination of illegal dumps was created.

The chatbot @TazaQazBot has become an additional tool for interaction between the government and the public. Since its launch, it has received over 44,000 requests, most of which have already been fulfilled.

Ecology is going international

Environmental protection issues are becoming not only a domestic priority but also an important part of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. In April 2026, Astana hosted the Regional Environmental Summit under the auspices of the UN. The initiative to hold the forum was put forward by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

The main outcome of the summit was the adoption of the Declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia, “Environmental Solidarity of Central Asia.” The document envisions joint efforts by the countries of the region to preserve biodiversity, combat plastic pollution, improve air quality, manage waste, prevent land degradation, and combat climate change.

Kazakhstan’s initiatives to establish an International Water Organization within the UN, the International Fund for the Conservation of Rare Species and Biological Diversity, and the development of a program to conserve the water resources of the Caspian Sea also received support.

From environmental actions to environmental thinking

Today, ecology in Kazakhstan is gradually ceasing to be the sole responsibility of the state and specialists. Schoolchildren, students, volunteers, business representatives, and public organizations are increasingly becoming involved in the environmental agenda.

That’s why Ecologist Day is not only a professional holiday for industry workers, but also a reminder that the state of the environment depends on the daily decisions of every person—from waste sorting to careful stewardship of natural resources.

Perhaps the main environmental challenge today lies not only in the construction of new processing plants or the implementation of digital technologies, but in the development of an environmental culture that, over time, should become a natural part of society.

It was previously reported that Kazakhstan is implementing the EcoQolday digital system , which allows citizens to receive payments for collecting and recycling waste. The results of the tenth anniversary season of the ReStart environmental project were
also announced in Astana . In 2026, the project united 23 universities and over 220,000 students across the country.