National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The investigation established that, on 10 July 2026, a fire broke out at the municipal solid waste landfill located at the 32nd kilometre of the Akhangaran Highway, in the “Yangi Hayot” settlement of Akhangaran District, Tashkent Region.

The fire was found to have been caused by the improper compliance with waste disposal and landfill requirements. On the same day, officials from the Tashkent Region Department of Ecology and Climate Change visited the site, conducted an inspection, held the landfill manager administratively liable and issued a mandatory order requiring the immediate extinguishment of the fire.

During a follow-up inspection conducted by the Environmental Police, it was established that, despite the mandatory order, the landfill manager had failed to remedy the violations, and the fire continued on 11 July. A second administrative offence report was drawn up against the landfill manager, identified as R.B., under Part 2 of Article 91 of the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Responsibility. Air quality tests were also carried out by laboratory specialists.

The laboratory analysis found that, as a result of the fire, concentrations of atmospheric pollutants exceeded the permissible limits as follows: carbon monoxide by 10.7 times, formaldehyde by 12.2 times, nitrogen dioxide by 12.8 times, sulfur dioxide by 9 times and hydrogen sulfide by 1.5 times.
According to meteorological observations, calm wind conditions prevailed in Tashkent from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on 11 July. Thereafter, the wind intensified sharply, blowing from the east and southeast (from the direction of Akhangaran) at speeds of 5–8 m/s, exceeding 10 m/s in some areas. During this period, air quality monitoring stations recorded a simultaneous increase in PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ particle concentrations.

Based on the results of the laboratory analysis, additional environmental compensation payments totalling 683,870,000 sums were assessed against the State Unitary Enterprise “MAXSUSTRANS-ISHB” for atmospheric air pollution. The relevant case files are currently being prepared for submission to the courts.

Background: Construction of the municipal solid waste landfill located in the Yangi Hayot area of Akhangaran District began in 2021. To date, construction has not been completed and the facility has not been officially commissioned. Nevertheless, since May 2025, the State Unitary Enterprise “MAXSUSTRANS-ISHB” has been transporting and disposing of municipal solid waste generated in the city of Tashkent at this landfill.