I. General provisions

1. This Policy establishes how the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi (hereinafter “the University”) minimises the use of plastic and disposable items, reduces plastic waste on campus and extends these requirements to outsourced services and suppliers.

2. The Policy has been prepared in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Waste”, the Law “On Nature Protection” and the legislative acts restricting single-use plastic products. It applies to all buildings, dormitories, canteens, cafés, vending points, events and offices of the University.

II. Minimisation of plastic use

3. The University minimises the use of plastic in all its activities. Units purchase plastic items only where no practical alternative exists, giving preference to recycled and recyclable products with less packaging. Plastic bags are not provided free at campus outlets.

III. Minimisation of disposable items

4. The University minimises the use of disposable items. Canteens and cafés serve customers eating on the premises with reusable crockery and cutlery; disposable items are offered only for take-away. University events use reusable tableware and water dispensers instead of small bottles, and conference materials are provided electronically where possible.

5. Single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery are phased out at University outlets by 1 September 2027.

IV. Reducing plastic waste on campus

6. The University reduces plastic waste on campus by collecting plastic separately in every building (TUIT-SP-05), transferring it for recycling, expanding drinking-water refill points and holding an annual awareness campaign with student organisations. Measures are set out in the action plan in the Annex.

V. Extension to outsourced services and suppliers

7. These requirements extend to outsourced services on University premises, including catering, cleaning, security and vending. New and renewed contracts oblige contractors to apply this Policy and to report the disposable items they use.

8. These requirements also extend to outsourced suppliers and the supply chain, including suppliers of equipment, stationery and furniture and building contractors, who are required to minimise plastic and single-use packaging and to take back transport packaging where possible (TUIT-SP-07).

VI. Responsibilities

9. The Department of Housekeeping and Landscaping organises plastic collection and refill points; the Procurement Department includes the requirements in contracts; the Youth Union and student clubs organise campaigns; and the Sustainability Committee reviews progress every year.

VII. Monitoring and expected results

10. The following indicators are reported every year: disposable items purchased by the University and its catering contractors; plastic collected for recycling (tonnes); the number of refill points; and the share of service contracts containing plastic-minimisation clauses.

11. Expected results by 2030: the number of disposable items purchased reduced by 30 per cent compared with 2025; single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery fully phased out; all new service contracts containing plastic-minimisation clauses.

VIII. Final provisions

12. This Policy is reviewed at least once every two years, and earlier if there are significant changes in legislation or in the activities of the University. Amendments are approved by the University Council.

13. This Policy enters into force on the date of its approval by the University Council and replaces the earlier provisions of the University on minimisation of plastic and disposable items.

14. This Policy is published on the official website of the University (tuit.uz/sustainability) in Uzbek and English and remains publicly available.

Annex. Action plan for reducing plastic waste, 2026–2030