BISHKEK (TCA) — The city of Bishkek on June 8 took delivery of 30 specialised trucks for waste collection, acquired for a project to modernise solid waste management and part of a comprehensive environmental improvement programme for the Kyrgyz capital. Previously, the city had received over 5,000 waste containers.
An official ceremony marked the handover of the specialised waste collection trucks to the municipal solid waste company, Tazalyk. The event was attended by local government representatives, including Mayor of Bishkek Albek Ibraimov, and also by EU Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Cesare de Montis, and EBRD Senior Banker Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, the EBRD press office reported.
The EBRD-EU-supported Bishkek solid waste project will help Tazalyk improve waste collection and replace outdated equipment. It will also lead to the establishment of an urgently needed, sanitary landfill and introduce a solid waste sorting line and waste minimisation measures in the city. This is a project which combines an EU grant and an EBRD loan and is part of a comprehensive environmental improvement programme. The project is being implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
“The EBRD is committed to improving the country’s municipal services and infrastructure and to introducing modern facilities and management skills. This project aims to improve the city of Bishkek’s solid waste services, including an upgrade of the collection fleet. The support will be critical to guarantee better service for a cleaner Kyrgyz capital,” said Catarina Bjorlin Hansen.
“The EU encourages the Kyrgyz Republic to continue steps towards integrated solid waste management. On our part, the EU will continue to support poverty reduction efforts, with increased investment in rural development combined with support to deliver quality social services,” added Ambassador Cesare de Montis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic.
Following the delivery of waste containers and platforms in 2015, this handover is a new milestone that will improve daily life for people in Bishkek and make the city more environmentally friendly and attractive.
The European Union is supporting the improvement of solid waste management in Bishkek with a €8.22 million grant under its Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA).
The EBRD is supporting the Bishkek solid waste management programme with a loan of €11 million. This investment will upgrade waste services in the city and produce significant environmental and public health benefits.
