This document has been developed in accordance with the law that restricts the circulation of plastic products and bags. Starting from January 1, 2027, a ban on certain types of plastic goods will come into effect in the country, and the new list aims to establish clear rules for the transition period. Only biodegradable packaging and products that are recyclable will be allowed for circulation.
The reasons for introducing restrictions are obvious: plastic products and polyethylene bags account for about 26% of waste in landfills in Kyrgyzstan. In 2024, the import of polyethylene bags reached 15,400 tons, while domestic production amounted to only 708 tons. Plastic pollution poses a particular threat to Lake Issyk-Kul, which is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
List of polymer film bags and disposable plastic dishes permitted for use in the Kyrgyz Republic:
| № | Name of polymer film bags and disposable plastic dishes | Code of the Commodity Nomenclature for Foreign Economic Activity (TN VED EAEU) | Thickness of bags (in microns; µm) | Content of biodegradable materials in packaging (%) | Content of recycled plastic in packaging materials (%) |
| 1. | Packaging bags on rolls | 3923 21 000 0 | 1 layer 15 µm | 100 % | - |
| 2. | “T-shirt” bags on rolls | 3923 21 000 0 | 1 layer 15 µm | 100 % | - |
| 3. | Bags with loop handles | 3923 21 000 0 | 1 layer 50 µm | - | 20 % |
| 4. | Bags with cut handles | 3923 21 000 0 | 1 layer 50 µm | - | 20% |
| 5. | Garbage bags | 3923 21 000 0 | 1 layer 20 µm | - | 100 % |
| 6. | Disposable plastic dishes | 3924 10 000 0 | - | - | 20% |
Note
- The use of bags and disposable plastic dishes encompasses their production, application, sale, and free distribution in the trade and service sectors exclusively within the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.
- Biodegradable packaging is packaging that can be composted and decomposed under the influence of microorganisms, resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide, water, mineral salts, and new biomass, both in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
- Packaging materials must comply with safety requirements established by the technical regulation of the Customs Union "On the Safety of Packaging" (TR TS 005/2011).
