Bishkek, March 12, 2026 /Kabar/. Aizhan Chynybaeva, President of the Eco Demi Foundation and World Cleanup Day Ambassador, spoke on Birinchi Radio about measures to limit the use of plastic bags in Issyk-Kul region, their disposal, and the situation with landfills.
Speaking about measures to limit the use of plastic bags, she notes that the measure is necessary, but at the same time, it is very difficult to physically implement because the plastic bags themselves are not the problem, but their disposal. She explained that bulk products like sugar, salt, and rice cannot all fit into a paper bag. Finding an alternative to plastic bags is quite difficult.
Chynybaeva noted that the restrictions introduced are aimed, among other things, at changing consumer habits.
"I think the country's leadership made this decision to change the overall mentality. Because plastic bags were, let's say, given out uncontrollably in all stores. Even if you didn't want one, you'd buy a small piece of gum, and they'd put it in a bag for you. Now, before you buy something, they ask you: 'Are you going to take a bag? Are you paying for this?' Which actually reduces the number of plastic bag purchases. This is a good measure," she said.
According to her, such measures help foster an understanding that plastic bags cannot be used indefinitely, given their harmful effects. She also emphasized that, unfortunately, microplastics are already being detected in the human body. Chynybaeva added that, according to her observations, plastic bags are no longer widely available in stores in Issyk-Kul region.
She noted that by the end of this year, two plants will be built in Issyk-Kul region that will incinerate plastic bags, preventing them from ending up in landfills. She said this is already a good measure and a solution to the environmental challenge posed by plastic bags.
Chynybaeva recalled that one of the best waste recycling plants using Chinese technology has opened in Bishkek. She added that, of course, ideally, it would be good to separate the collection of plastic bags, recycle plastic bags, bottles, and so on. However, the pace of our time currently doesn't allow for this.
Chynybaeva also noted that previously, there were 88 official landfills, including pits, where Issyk-Kul residents could dispose of their waste without fines. Now their number has been reduced to 10. She explained that this waste will no longer accumulate for years and degrade the soil. It will be collected from these 10 locations and then transported by garbage truck to two locations—on the northern and southern shores of the lake—where waste incineration plants will be built.
"Here, we're specifically reducing the amount of waste, and it will also generate electricity. I hope this measure will work. There's no other choice now. If you look at how the facilities at Issyk-Kul worked—that is, washing these plastic bags from garbage—we lose even more water. Therefore, it's more efficient to incinerate the bag, which will be converted into electricity," she concluded.