On August 20, another large-scale clean-up day was held in Shymkent, organized by the municipal state institution "Turan" together with the company "ShymkentSpetsKompleks". The venue was the area along Temirlanovskoye Highway, house No. 40. It would seem that such events are already familiar to city residents, but this clean-up day was noticeably different from many previous events, and not only in its scope, but also in its new approach to educating the population about environmental culture.

The main goal of the event was not just to clean the area and remove garbage. The organizers deliberately put an emphasis on developing environmental responsibility and engaging city residents in joint care for the cleanliness of the environment. Traditional cleanup days of previous years were mainly limited to collecting household waste, cutting down dead wood or clearing ditches. This time, the emphasis was shifted towards an educational and enlightening effect.

Not only utility workers came out to clean up, but also representatives of various public associations, students, high school students, employees of private enterprises and, of course, ordinary residents of nearby neighborhoods. Such a wide range of participants shows that the cleanup is increasingly perceived as a common cause, and not as a one-time initiative of the akimat or individual organizations.

Comparing with previous years, it can be noted that 5-10 years ago, clean-up days were held irregularly and were mainly timed to coincide with state holidays or the spring month of beautification. Their main task was to bring visible order to the central streets and parks. As a result, the effect was short-lived: after a week or two, garbage would accumulate in the same places again. Today, the situation is gradually changing.

This clean-up day was different in that the work was carried out systematically and in line with modern requirements. Thus, the collected garbage was not simply taken to the dump, but partially sorted: plastic and glass were sent for recycling. Mini-lectures were held for residents on how to properly separate waste and why it is important for the environment. This format was practically never used before.

In addition, the organizers focused on an information campaign. Invitations were distributed in advance via social networks, and an online broadcast was conducted during the event, which attracted additional attention from city residents. In previous years, information was limited, and many residents learned about the clean-up days after the fact.

Participation of young people deserves special mention. If previously such events were mainly attended by employees of state institutions, now students and schoolchildren have become active participants. For them, participation in environmental campaigns is becoming fashionable and prestigious. Moreover, it was young people who often took the initiative – they suggested installing containers for separate waste collection or decorating cleared areas with green spaces.

The reasons for such changes are rooted in several factors. Firstly, in recent years the population of Shymkent has grown significantly, and with it the volume of household waste. This requires new approaches to their disposal. Secondly, the city is increasingly positioning itself as a modern metropolis, where environmental issues are coming to the forefront. Thirdly, the city residents themselves are gradually changing their attitude to cleanliness: if earlier the opinion was “this is the concern of utility workers”, now more and more people understand that cleanliness depends on everyone.

The current clean-up day also showed another important trend: events are no longer one-off. The organizers said that such events will be held regularly, and not just on the eve of holidays. This confirms that a culture of a systematic approach to improvement is being formed in the city.

Particular attention was paid to the educational component. Residents were given talks on how to properly care for courtyard areas, why it is important not to throw garbage in the wrong places, and what penalties apply for violating the rules of improvement. Such a comprehensive approach allows us to hope that the effect of the clean-up days will be long-term, not temporary.

Comparing the current clean-up day with previous years, several key differences can be identified. If earlier the main indicator was the amount of garbage collected, now it is the involvement of residents and the development of their environmental thinking. If earlier the events were more of an administrative initiative, today they are turning into a mass movement supported by society itself. And if earlier cleaning was perceived as an obligation, now many participate voluntarily and enthusiastically.

Such changes are largely due to global environmental trends. In various countries, the emphasis has long been shifted from one-time events to the formation of sustainable habits. Shymkent is moving in the same direction, and the current clean-up day is a vivid confirmation of this.

Thus, the event that took place on August 20 can be called not just a cleanup of the territory, but a full-fledged step towards the formation of an environmentally responsible society. It showed that the cleanliness of the city depends not only on public utilities, but also on each resident. And the more people realize this, the faster Shymkent will become a truly green and comfortable metropolis.