uzbekistan
Disposal Issues Not Yet Addressed
Demand for electric cars is growing in Uzbekistan, but questions about environmentally harmful battery disposal have not yet been addressed.
According to the Statistics Agency, while only 18 electric cars were exported to the country in 2018, their number had increased by 4.5 times by July 2022. At that time, 1,125 electric cars were imported into the republic for more than $34 million.
In 2023, Uzbekistan imported 25.7 thousand electric cars. Uzbek citizens often buy electric cars produced in China, the UAE, and Germany.
In 2023, Uzbekistan imported 25.7 thousand electric cars. Uzbek citizens often buy electric cars produced in China, the UAE, and Germany.
Considering the relative safety and environmental friendliness of electric cars, the country's government introduced certain benefits for the export of this type of transport. Since January 1, 2019, the import of electric cars has been exempted from customs duties, excise taxes, and vehicle taxes, but a 20% VAT on the car's value and minimal customs clearance fees were left unchanged.
Official dealerships for electric cars have appeared in Uzbekistan, where manufacturers of vehicles with new energy sources are based. In January 2013, UzAuto and the Chinese conglomerate BYD officially registered a joint venture to produce and sell BYD electric vehicles at the BYD Uzbekistan Factory.
Tashkent resident Abdubakir Yunusov, 30, switched to an electric car in 2020. At that time, electric cars were just gaining popularity in Uzbekistan, and after considering different car options, he settled for this one.
Yunusov believes that such a car has advantages, such as not needing to spend money on fuel and being able to charge it at home. However, there are also disadvantages.
Yunusov believes that such a car has advantages, such as not needing to spend money on fuel and being able to charge it at home. However, there are also disadvantages.
"The inconvenience of traveling long distances in an electric car is that you will have to spend from one to two hours on recharging. With a fuel-powered car, this time can be saved," he said.
Meanwhile, Yunusov admits that when planning to buy a car, he did not think about recycling the battery after the end of its life. At the same time, he does not mind paying for environmentally friendly battery disposal.
"In our family, we already have two electric cars, and to be honest, I didn't think about battery recycling at all. After the end of the car's service life, I planned to sell it for spare parts. If they offer me, the owner of the electric car, a safe way to recycle the battery, then I am ready to pay for it," Yunusov said.
The Ministry of Ecology of Uzbekistan began considering the problems of recycling batteries and electric car batteries in 2021. At that time, the department's website published an announcement calling for proposals from entrepreneurs and citizens for the processing and recycling of electronic waste in the country.
In February of this year, this department talked about environmental problems that the republic may face in the near future.
According to the Ministry of Ecology, 140 thousand tons of electronic waste are generated in the country per year. Of these, 30-35 thousand tons are various batteries.
According to the Ministry of Ecology, 140 thousand tons of electronic waste are generated in the country per year. Of these, 30-35 thousand tons are various batteries.
Today, more than 45,000 electric cars are operated in the country. On average, the battery in such a car can last 10-20 years. Given the annual growth in the import of electric cars, by 2035, it is expected to form 10,000 tons of electronic waste.
Today, the processing and assembly of car batteries are engaged in AO "Uzikilamchiranglimetall" and "Jizzakh Battery Plant" in the republic. Their total capacity is 15 thousand tons per year. They can only dispose of half of the batteries that are worn annually.
The rest of the electronic waste is recycled by people and entrepreneurs, often violating sanitary and environmental standards.
For example, colored metals are extracted and plastic, metal, and other components are thrown away in landfills with household waste. This leads to pollution of land and water resources with heavy metals and toxins.
According to the Ministry of Ecology's calculations, one discarded regular battery can pollute an area of 20 square meters with heavy metals. In addition, open access to waste interferes the work of recycling clusters.
The rest of the electronic waste is recycled by people and entrepreneurs, often violating sanitary and environmental standards.
For example, colored metals are extracted and plastic, metal, and other components are thrown away in landfills with household waste. This leads to pollution of land and water resources with heavy metals and toxins.
According to the Ministry of Ecology's calculations, one discarded regular battery can pollute an area of 20 square meters with heavy metals. In addition, open access to waste interferes the work of recycling clusters.
Feruzbek Saifullayev
Independent ecologists are concerned about this problem and note that electric cars are not a panacea for transitioning to a "green" future.
Moreover, such cars can become a new threat to the environment, eco-blogger Feruzbek Saifullayev notes.
Moreover, such cars can become a new threat to the environment, eco-blogger Feruzbek Saifullayev notes.
In an interview with CABAR.asia, he said that the disposal and recycling of disposable batteries are not at the proper level in the country. The lack of a collection and recycling system causes problems. Citizens throw away recyclables along with household waste, which ends up in common landfills. In particular, the republic does not keep statistics on electronic waste and its different types thrown away by the population. Also, they do not conduct research on recycling of e-waste and batteries.
"To produce disposable batteries requires more electricity than to use them. It is desirable that the population minimize the use of batteries and switch to devices that can be recharged through the power supply," says Saifullayev.
He also said that the clusters, which were created to fully process all waste, do not receive recycling products due to the activities of so-called "pirates," who illegally collect products from waste processing complexes. Therefore, the clusters' work does not pay off, and they are closed.
He also said that the clusters, which were created to fully process all waste, do not receive recycling products due to the activities of so-called "pirates," who illegally collect products from waste processing complexes. Therefore, the clusters' work does not pay off, and they are closed.
It should be noted that the government of Uzbekistan, concerned about the current situation, is taking steps to regulate the sphere of waste utilization that is harmful to the environment. In May 2023, a presidential decree was issued, which instructed the development of a draft document that would expand the responsibility of producers of chemical energy sources and create a system of control over their turnover and disposal.
As part of this decree, the Ministry of Ecology has developed several documents: the draft law "On Waste," the draft presidential decree "On Measures for Further Improvement of Economic Mechanisms in Waste Management," and the draft presidential decree "On Measures for Improvement of Economic Procedures for Ensuring Nature Protection."
Now, the agency, together with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Centre for Sustainable Development (Kazakhstan), plans to study the country's legal and regulatory framework for e-waste management.
As part of this decree, the Ministry of Ecology has developed several documents: the draft law "On Waste," the draft presidential decree "On Measures for Further Improvement of Economic Mechanisms in Waste Management," and the draft presidential decree "On Measures for Improvement of Economic Procedures for Ensuring Nature Protection."
Now, the agency, together with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Centre for Sustainable Development (Kazakhstan), plans to study the country's legal and regulatory framework for e-waste management.
By February 2025, the Ministry of Ecology plans to develop a draft document that will include mandatory recycling and disposal of electronic batteries, sorting them into safe and hazardous ones. The document will also create an investment environment for companies engaged in battery collection and recycling and introduce a system of state support, which includes tax incentives and subsidies, as well as exemption from customs duties on imported equipment.
In addition, the agency proposes to create battery collection points and purchase special containers that will allow for the safe transport of waste.
“Now, the construction of modern landfills is just beginning to develop in the republic.However, I cannot say that at least one landfill has become modern and started functioning. Construction projects have been started, but they have not been fully realized," Sayfullayev said.
Until the problem is solved, the eco-activist suggests minimizing the impact of harmful substances such as mercury, lead, and cadmium, which batteries emit, and storing them in dry containers in dark places.
The ecologist advises to be more conscious about buying an electric car and its further disposal.
The ecologist advises to be more conscious about buying an electric car and its further disposal.
Authors:
Anastasiya Bengard (Kyrgyzstan)
Elina Beknazaroba (Uzbekistan)
CABAR.asia
Elina Beknazaroba (Uzbekistan)
CABAR.asia
Editors:
Natalya Li
Tatiana Trubacheva
Lola Olimova
Gulafshon Sokieva
Marat Mamadshoev
Tatiana Trubacheva
Lola Olimova
Gulafshon Sokieva
Marat Mamadshoev
Illustrations:
Nasiba Karimova
Layout:
Manizha Babakulova
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