On September 1, 2025, environmental issues were once again in the spotlight in Shymkent. Among them, one of the most pressing topics is the proper disposal of construction waste and the fight against uncontrolled dumping. For more than three years, a special landfill for receiving construction waste has been operating in the Aktas settlement. This site is considered an important project aimed at improving the environmental situation in the city and reducing spontaneous landfills.

Today, construction waste can be delivered to the landfill free of charge. This is a temporary solution until investors are attracted and the modernized system is launched.
According to Timur Kurbanov, head of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of Shymkent, the total area of the landfill is 26 hectares. In the near future, large-scale modernization work will be carried out on this territory: modern equipment will be installed, the territory will be completely fenced off, and additional infrastructure will be built. After that, the landfill will be transferred to a paid basis, and official contracts will be concluded with construction companies. This, in turn, will ensure transparency in the industry and create a sustainable waste processing system.

However, despite the existence of an official landfill, city residents and some construction organizations continue to dump waste in unregulated places. Today, 46 spontaneous landfills have been identified in Shymkent. This figure is almost twice as high as last year. This situation is of great concern to environmentalists and city authorities.
Unnatural garbage dumps not only spoil the beauty of the city, but also poison the soil and air. When waste decomposes, harmful substances are released, which directly affect human health. They also increase the risk of spreading various infectious diseases.

The Aktas landfill is located just half an hour's drive from the center of Shymkent. And if you drive along the highway after the settlement of Aktas, you can get there in 10 minutes. Such a convenient location makes the landfill accessible to construction companies and private citizens.
According to representatives of the city administration, legally disposing of waste does not pose any problems. The main thing is that every resident and organization should take a conscious step and deliver garbage to specially designated places.

There are those among the city's residents who are contributing to the formation of an ecological culture.
"The cleanliness of the city starts with each of us. I only throw garbage in specially designated places. Let's keep Shymkent clean together," say the active citizens.

According to environmentalists, the emergence of spontaneous landfills is sometimes due not only to negligence, but also to a lack of information. Some residents are unaware of the existence of the Aktas landfill or do not understand the harmful consequences of improper disposal. Therefore, it is important to intensify public awareness campaigns.

The future of the landfill directly depends on attracting investors. According to experts, the upcoming modernization work will achieve the following results:

• a construction waste sorting and recycling system will be introduced;

• the load on urban landfills will be reduced;

• new jobs will be created;

• the environmental situation improves.

It is clear that the transition to a paid landfill will entail additional costs for construction companies. However, experts are confident that this step will help regulate the industry, reduce illegal dumping, and ensure financial transparency.

The cleanliness of Shymkent depends not only on the work of public utilities, but also on the culture of each resident. No matter how effective the system is, if the population does not obey the rules, the problem will not be solved. Therefore, modernization measures should be carried out not only from a technical perspective, but also from an educational perspective.

In recent years, a number of works have been carried out in the city within the framework of the "Clean Kazakhstan" program. Initiatives such as Saturdays, information campaigns, and the installation of additional garbage bins have begun to bear fruit. However, when it comes to construction waste, there are still serious problems in this area.

It is planned to completely modernize the Aktas landfill and form a sustainable construction waste management system by 2026. According to the city administration and environmental experts, with the participation of investors and the active support of the population, there is every opportunity to reduce the number of spontaneous landfills in Shymkent and improve the environmental situation.

The Aktas landfill is not just a place to receive waste. It is becoming a strategic part of Shymkent's environmental policy. The modernization of the landfill will create new jobs in the city, reduce environmental damage, and create comfortable conditions for residents.

Keeping the city clean is a common responsibility for all of us. The opportunity to deliver garbage to the landfill is given to every citizen. Now the choice is in each of us: only by acting legally can we bequeath the beauty of Shymkent to future generations.