Uzbekistan’s economy is expanding at one of the fastest rates in Central Asia, creating new opportunities for businesses and citizens alike. Yet this rapid growth also brings challenges that the country must learn to manage. Among them, one of the most pressing issues is the growing problem of waste management, which has become an unfortunate consequence of economic progress.
Over the past decade, the volume of municipal solid waste in Uzbekistan has increased steadily. It rose from about 6.1 million tons in 2010 to 7 million tons in 2017, and current projections suggest that annual waste generation could reach as high as 16 million tons by 2028.
Currently, the country generates around 14 million tons of waste annually, but only a small portion of this – approximately 5% – is recycled. Landfills now release more than seven million tons of greenhouse gases every year, and more than forty thousand tons of toxic waste seep into the soil, threatening both the environment and public health.
The government of Uzbekistan has recognized the urgency of the issue and placed waste management at the heart of its green development agenda. Alongside the promotion of renewable energy and electric vehicles, the authorities are investing in waste-to-energy projects that can help convert solid waste into electricity. This approach can reduce the amount of waste going to landfills while providing a cleaner source of energy.
China’s Role in Uzbekistan’s Waste-to-Energy Development
To implement these projects, Uzbekistan is actively cooperating with foreign partners who can bring technology, investment, and experience. Among these partners, China has emerged as a leading player. Chinese companies, facing a saturated domestic market, are increasingly looking abroad for new opportunities. Uzbekistan’s ambitious targets in waste management perfectly align with this interest, creating a partnership that benefits both sides.
Several large-scale projects have already been launched. China’s CAMC Engineering is investing about $350 million to build two waste-to-energy plants in the Andijan and Tashkent regions. Another Chinese company, Shanghai SUS Environment, has signed an agreement with Uzbekistan’s Waste Management Agency to develop projects using advanced green technology.
In addition, China Everbright Environment Group has announced the creation of joint ventures with Uzbek partners Maxsus and CR No.17 Second Engineering. These partnerships will result in two new plants in Namangan and Ferghana, each with an estimated cost of $283 million.
Opportunities and Risks
These initiatives promise significant benefits. For China, they open the door to exporting green technologies, generating new revenue, and deepening economic ties in Central Asia. The growing demand for waste-to-energy projects across the region also creates opportunities for China to share its proven technological model, helping partner countries build capacity while integrating more closely into China’s expanding technological ecosystem.
Beyond the economic gains, this cooperation is shaping China’s broader image. Through such environmentally focused projects, Beijing is gradually being seen not only as a builder of physical infrastructure but also as a provider of innovative and sustainable solutions. This transformation strengthens China’s soft power and adds new depth to its Belt and Road cooperation with Central Asian countries.
For Uzbekistan, waste-to-energy projects offer a valuable solution to the country’s growing waste challenge. The projects implemented by China Everbright Environment are expected to process more than one million tons of waste each year. Similarly, Shanghai SUS Environment’s projects in Uzbekistan will handle up to 1,500 tons of waste per day while generating an estimated 240 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
These initiatives not only reduce the burden on landfills but also diversify Uzbekistan’s energy sources. Together with the expansion of renewable energy and the gradual increase in electric vehicle use, waste-to-energy plants can play an important role in strengthening the country’s overall energy resilience.
However, alongside these benefits come a number of potential risks. Waste-to-energy plants are often controversial due to concerns about environmental and health impacts, particularly the emission of pollutants such as dioxins and furans. If such projects are carried out with limited environmental oversight, they can cause serious harm to public health and the surrounding ecosystem.
There is also a risk that Chinese companies, driven by the goal of reducing costs, may implement less stringent standards. Such an approach could undermine the environmental credibility of these projects and raise public concerns about China’s growing economic footprint in Uzbekistan. In the long term, this could weaken the positive image that Beijing seeks to project through its cooperation in green development.
Navigating Opportunity and Responsibility
Uzbekistan’s growing engagement with Chinese companies in the waste-to-energy sector reflects both opportunity and caution. On one hand, these projects offer practical solutions to one of the country’s most pressing environmental challenges while contributing to energy diversification and green development. On the other hand, the success of this partnership will depend on ensuring that environmental and safety standards remain uncompromised. By prioritizing transparency, sustainability, and long-term public benefit, Uzbekistan can turn its waste problem into a cornerstone of its clean energy transition.
For China, maintaining high environmental standards will be equally crucial, as it can reinforce Beijing’s image as a responsible partner and enhance its soft power in the region. If managed wisely, the cooperation between the two countries can serve as a model for economic growth and environmental responsibility.
