Regulatory Obstacles in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Kazakhstan in Comparison with the EU.

KAZAKHSTAN; CENTRAL Asia

In the context of achieving the goals of the modern environmental agenda, the issue of effective management of household waste is a complex problem, being one of the highest priorities on a global scale. Regional features and the lack of effective international instruments often hinder the solution of this problem, complicating the development and application of common mechanisms. For Kazakhstan, which is the largest country in Central Asia and the state that produces the largest amount of household waste in the region, the issue of managing household waste is of particular relevance. This study is on the prospects for political and legal regulation in matters of municipal waste management in Kazakhstan within the framework of the use of foreign legal instruments and practices. Besides that, the study examines the prospects for the management of solid domestic waste in the country. Based on the study of foreign experience in the management of domestic waste, we identified the shortcomings of the existing legislative regulation in this area in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The analysis showed that the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the relevant area is at the stage of formation. At the same time, the existing problems require a comprehensive solution related to the development of an integrated approach, which implies the effective interaction of political and legal instruments. In particular, the use of national strategies and programs, integrated waste management programs, and the development of an appropriate regulatory framework for them. A review of political initiatives that directly affect the prospects for the formation of legal regulation indicated the commitment of the subjects of policy making in the field of environmental protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan to approaches based on the preference for minimizing or preventing waste generation and for the waste-to-energy principles. These initiatives are in line with the environmental policies in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]