Kyrgyzstan has modified its legislation, titled ‘On Limiting the Circulation of Polymer Film Bags and Plastic Items in the Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic’ to relax certain planned prohibitions on single-use plastics.
The Times of Central Asia reported that the updated law was signed by Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov.
The original law, enacted by the country’s parliament on 17 June 2025, was due to take effect on 1 January 2027.
It initially banned the production, import, and sale of items such as polymer film bags, all disposable plastic tableware, plastic food packaging, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.
Earlier measures also banned disposable plastic-based egg cartons and coffee capsules.
The amendments now exclude PET bottles and disposable plastic food packaging from the banned list.
Additionally, the restriction on disposable plastic tableware has been limited to nonrecyclable items only.
These revisions were made to ensure compliance with the regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
Domestic and regional businesses expressed concerns that the original bans, especially on PET bottles and food containers, could disrupt manufacturing and trade across borders, thereby conflicting with EAEU standards.
Although these national regulations on plastics have been eased, local measures to address plastic pollution continue.
The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kyrgyzstan implemented a ban on the use and sale of plastic bags in the resort and recreational areas of Issyk-Kul starting in March 2025.
This step is part of a wider effort to safeguard the lake’s delicate ecosystem and maintain environmental cleanliness.
