Public dissatisfaction is mounting across Uzbekistan as citizens report being billed for waste collection and disposal services that were never actually provided. This persistent issue was formally raised on October 13 during a session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis by Odiljon Madaliev, a member of the Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection.

According to the lawmaker, despite supposed corrective measures, severe deficiencies persist in the regions regarding domestic waste management. An analysis of grievances submitted to the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change indicates that 48.4 percent of complaints stem from poor waste collection services, while 18.4 percent involve fraudulent or unjustified debts accrued for services that residents never received.

Madaliev also highlighted critical shortcomings concerning waste landfills, noting that scheduled reclamation work slated for 2026 is falling behind schedule. Furthermore, numerous landfills across the country reportedly fail to comply with basic environmental standards, sanitary regulations, and fire safety requirements.

These mounting failures occur against the backdrop of substantial financial injections into the sector. Official data claims that in 2025, approximately 386.5 billion soms in investments were channeled into solid waste management, raising population coverage to 63 percent. Additionally, waste-to-energy projects worth nearly $933 million are allegedly being implemented across seven regions, with a second phase of initiatives valued at $1.6 billion reportedly planned.

In response to the unresolved crises, the parliamentary committee proposed issuing a formal parliamentary inquiry to Sharifbek Hasanov, Director of the Waste Management and Circular Economy Development Agency. Lawmakers backed the proposal, demanding accountable explanations regarding service improvements and the eradication of fabricated utility debts.

Source: www.gazeta.uz