Sustainable plastic waste management: Global practices and perspectives on the case of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Plastic waste presents itself as a menace that could require a multifaceted approach to eliminate. This article seeks to not only analyze but also expound on the current state of plastic waste residing in Kazakhstan. The first part deals with the issues posed by single-use plastics and evaluates their environmental effects while considering the patterns of overconsumption in Kazakhstan. The paper examines the history of single-use plastics, focusing on the import, export, and production aspects of Kazakhstan. The processes of sorting and recycling plastic waste are investigated, as well as the share of waste sent for reprocessing and the quality of sorting at different levels. It also discusses the current methods and technologies of recycling plastic, as well as the main problems for its effective application in Kazakhstan, among which are a lack of infrastructure, economic challenges, and low awareness of the population about the issue. The uniqueness of Kazakhstan is juxtaposed with that of other countries, and the necessity of creating long-term sustainable solutions to the issue is emphasized. The final section of the article is dedicated to presenting potential recommendations for improvement in waste management alongside conclusions based on the article's premise.