Environmentalists have begun tackling waste issues at markets in Uzbekistan.

Employees of the Waste Management and Circular Economy Agency of the Ministry of Ecology, along with its regional departments, law enforcement agencies, and tax authorities, conducted inspection raids in the Khorezm region, reports the Ministry of Ecology.

During the raid at the dehkan market in Khiva, waste and an illegal dump were discovered. It was also revealed that the market administration of the AO "Khiva Shahri Dehkan Bazar" had not organized a waste collection area nor installed special containers. An administrative protocol has been issued to the market manager, which has been forwarded to the court for legal assessment and action.

Upon investigation, it was found that the market owed 5 million sums to the waste removal company. The market manager has committed to settling the debt and installing waste bins on the premises.

In Uzbekistan, dumping household and construction waste in unauthorized locations results in a fine ranging from 20 to 30 BRV (from 7.5 million to 11.2 million sums) for officials. In the event of a repeated violation within a year, a fine of 30 to 50 BRV will be imposed.