As part of the national campaign "Taza Kazakhstan," aimed at improving the environmental situation in the country, a problem that has been acutely affecting residents of Shymkent's Karatau district in recent weeks has attracted public attention. According to local residents, solid waste (MSW) has not been collected from their yards and waste collection points for a month.

Residents of apartment buildings in the Karatau district complain that trash bins are overflowing, waste isn't being collected promptly, and piles of plastic bags accumulate around the containers, gradually turning them into illegal dumps. On hot days, the situation becomes especially unpleasant: an unpleasant odor develops, insects spread, and stray animals begin wandering near the waste areas.

"We pay our garbage collection bills regularly, but no one has come to our yards for about a month. The containers are full, and people are forced to leave their bags nearby. The wind blows everything away, and the yards are unsanitary," says district resident Ainur Kasymova.

According to sanitary doctors, such situations can lead not only to a deterioration in the area's ecological appearance, but also to a real threat to human health.

Accumulated household waste attracts rodents and insects, which can carry diseases. If stored for long periods in hot weather, garbage begins to rot, releasing harmful substances that can pollute the air and soil. This can pose a serious hazard to children playing near containers in their yards.

The Karatau Akimat acknowledges the problem, but attributes it to several factors. First, the district is rapidly growing: new residential areas are appearing, the population is increasing, and the burden on utility services is increasing. Second, the contractor responsible for waste removal is experiencing equipment issues.

"Currently, some of our garbage trucks are undergoing repairs, and this has truly complicated our timely waste collection efforts. We've already filed a complaint with the contractor and are negotiating the deployment of additional equipment. The situation will stabilize in the coming days," a district administration representative reported.

The paradox of the situation is that the city is currently actively conducting the "Taza Kazakhstan" campaign, during which officials, environmentalists, volunteers, and schoolchildren are taking part in cleanup days, clearing parks, squares, and streets of trash.

However, residents of the Karatau district note that while the public is demonstratively cleaning up the central streets, their own yards remain littered with waste.

"Promotions are great. But we want cleanliness not just once a month during a cleanup day, but every day around our homes. Real concern for residents means regular and high-quality garbage collection," says district resident Bakhytzhan Akhmetov.

Experts note that such problems cannot be solved with ad hoc measures. Systematic work and oversight are needed.

1. Increased liability for contractors. If a company contracted for waste removal fails to fulfill its obligations, penalties or contract termination should be imposed.

2. Infrastructure development. The area needs more container storage facilities, especially in new residential areas.

3. Attracting private operators. Additional companies may be involved through public-private partnerships.

4. Public oversight. Residents can more actively contact the Akimat hotlines, the Environmental Committee, or digital services to report violations.

Environmentalists believe that the issue of waste disposal is directly linked to the culture of waste management in general.

"We often see residents failing to sort their waste and throwing construction waste into regular containers, which overloads the system. We need to develop separate collection and recycling. This is the only way to reduce the burden on landfills and keep neighborhoods clean," comments ecologist Gulmira Sadykova.

Experts also remind us that city cleanliness depends not only on public utilities but also on the awareness of citizens. Sometimes, unauthorized piles of trash can be found in courtyards, caused by people throwing waste past designated containers or removing construction debris after renovations.

"If every resident takes a more responsible approach to their yard, and if the authorities fulfill their responsibilities effectively, the problem will be resolved much more quickly," activists note.

Residents of the Karatau district hope their concerns will be heard and that the authorities' promises will not remain just words. After all, for them, a clean yard isn't an abstract concept, but a part of everyday life, health, and comfort.

The "Taza Kazakhstan" campaign aims to foster a culture of environmental awareness in society. For this initiative to be truly effective, it must begin with something simple: regular and efficient waste removal from residential areas.

The story of the overflowing containers in the Karatau district is a wake-up call for the entire city. It shows that environmental campaigns and cleanup days are important, but they're not enough. A true "Taza Kazakhstan" isn't a one-off initiative, but rather the daily, systematic work of public utilities, backed by responsible contractors and conscientious citizenry.