Ten years ago, waste recycling in Almaty was largely the domain of individual enthusiasts. Today, environmental campaigns draw thousands, and conversations about responsible consumption have become part of daily life for many city residents.

One of the pioneers of this movement is Kamila Akimbekova, an eco-influencer and co-organizer of environmental initiatives. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, she reflects on the evolution of Almaty’s eco-community, the principles behind the zero waste concept, and how small, consistent changes can reshape a city.

TCA: Kamila, you had a successful career in banking. What prompted your transition to environmental activism? 

Kamila: I think my interests evolved. People often think recycling is a new trend, but it actually existed in the USSR: students collected waste paper, and people returned glass for reuse. It was an effective circular economy. When I became a mother for the second time, I began thinking more deeply about my impact on the world. I started researching whether Almaty had recycling facilities. At the time, information was scarce, and it wasn’t easy to locate collection points, but I didn’t give up.

TCA: Was access to information more limited 10-15 years ago?

Kamila: Absolutely. Social media was less developed, and online information was often outdated or unreliable. I started looking for people who shared my values and eventually connected with Almaty’s early eco-activists. They were scattered individuals with a shared desire for change. Over time, we formed a real community, launched joint projects, and I began sharing what I learned on my blog. That’s how I transitioned to eco-influencing. Today, I have around 30,000 Instagram followers, an engaged audience concerned about the environment.

TCA: Is the eco-community large now?

Kamila: It’s grown significantly, especially in Almaty, though we’re also connected with activists across Kazakhstan. Participation has multiplied. Our early events drew 20-50 people. Now we see around 2,000. There’s strong interest from students and school-children, I lecture regularly and see growing volunteerism. At our last campaign, electronic sensors showed that 1,900 people attended.

TCA: Is it true that women form the core of the eco-community?

Kamila: Yes, that’s backed by studies. Women tend to be more environmentally conscious, likely due to traditional roles as caretakers of the home and future generations.

TCA: Today, people can recycle much more than just paper, glass, and plastic. How did that expansion come about?

Kamila: I wanted a convenient way to dispose of multiple waste types, old medicines, unused items, plastics, metals, e-waste, etc. In 2019, we invited companies like Rocket Plastic and an e-waste recycler to set up at our events. We also partnered with the Almaty Pop-Up Store and expanded through collaborations with the Darmarka project and the Recycle Birge team.

TCA: I was surprised to learn you accept unusual items, used cooking oil, expired candy, even food scraps for farmers.

Kamila: We follow the zero waste concept, which aims to reduce waste to zero. Many newcomers think sorting is the most important part, but recycling is actually the last step. The process begins with refusing disposable items, reusing, reducing consumption, repairing, and only then recycling.

TCA: So the goal is not to recycle more, but to produce less waste?

Kamila: Exactly. Don’t collect bags of bags buy one reusable shopping bag and use it. Repair what you can. Upcycle where possible. Recycling is a last resort. Companies track “eco-hero” stats, but you’ll rarely see our activists at the top, we’re creating less waste, not recycling more. That’s why I value the Darmarka program, where people exchange clothing and accessories to give them a second life.

Image: Kamila Akimbekova

TCA: Was Darmarka your idea?

Kamila: No, it came from Roman Sablin, a Russian ecologist and founder of an environmental education school. Many of us, including myself, studied there, I now teach a course on organizing eco-events. At first, Darmarka was held every three to six months; now it’s monthly and just one part of our work. Last year, we collected and recycled more than 33 tons of material.

TCA: What’s the most unexpected item you accept?

Kamila: Probably vegetable peelings. You can dry them at home and bring them in. One of our partner farmers feeds them to her goats; she even sends us pictures. Food waste is a major issue. It’s mentioned in Kazakhstan’s Environmental Code, but there’s still no systematic solution at either the city or national level.

TCA: Some people argue they simply don’t have time to sort and transport waste.

Kamila: People can deny the problem, but eventually, everyone will have to face it. Our natural resources are not infinite. We can’t keep cutting forests and pumping oil forever. Sooner or later, we’ll all have to change, some sooner, some later.

TCA: Is living an eco-friendly life difficult today?

Kamila: Being eco-friendly means changing habits, which takes time. If you try to adopt everything at once, it may seem overwhelming. But if you go step by step, it becomes second nature. I always tell people: go at your own pace. Today, stop using plastic bags. Tomorrow, bring your own cup for coffee. Small steps make a big difference.

TCA: How many recycling facilities and collection points are there in Almaty?

Kamila: There’s no single “waste processing plant”, each material is processed separately. There are major recycling plants near Almaty for paper, glass, tires, and aluminum. But the number of collection points has dropped to about 10, down from 17 operated by KWR alone. Many depended on state subsidies, which have largely dried up. While subsidies still exist, they’re difficult to access. In Karaganda, some entrepreneurs manage the entire cycle themselves.

There’s talk of building a waste incineration plant in Almaty, which could devastate the recycling sector. If we start burning everything, no one will sort. I’m skeptical about whether it will truly be environmentally safe.

TCA: How would you assess Almaty’s cleanliness today?

Kamila: You might be surprised; Almaty is fairly clean. We now struggle to find sites for cleanup events. In the past, we’d find dozens of dirty spots instantly. Recently, we had to cancel a cleanup by the Ili River because activists had already cleared it.

TCA: What will it take to make our cities truly clean?

Kamila: A systematic approach and education. We must start in kindergartens and schools. A more responsible, conscious generation will ensure cleaner cities. But we can’t wait, each of us must act now. It’s not the government’s job to stop people littering in the mountains. That’s our personal responsibility.