I. General provisions

1. This Policy establishes how the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi (hereinafter “the University”) prevents waste, separates it at source, measures the waste sent to landfill and recycled, and disposes safely of hazardous materials.

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 legislation on the handling of hazardous waste. It applies to all waste generated in the University’s buildings, laboratories, canteens, dormitories and grounds, and to catering, cleaning, construction and waste-collection contractors.

II. Terms used in this Policy

3. The following terms are used in this Policy:

hazardous material – any item or agent (biological, chemical, radiological or physical) which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors, including laboratory chemicals, batteries, mercury-containing lamps and electronic waste;

waste sent to landfill – waste transferred to a landfill without recovery; recycled waste is waste transferred for recycling, composting or reuse.

III. Waste hierarchy and separation

4. The University follows the waste hierarchy: prevent, reuse, recycle and recover, and only then dispose. Buildings and dormitories are provided with labelled containers for separate collection of at least paper, plastic, glass and metal, and mixed waste; canteens also separate food waste. Recyclables are transferred to licensed processors.

5. Surplus furniture, equipment and books are first offered for reuse within the University or donated before being written off.

IV. Measuring waste sent to landfill and recycled

6. The University measures, by weight, the amount of waste it generates, the amount recycled and the amount sent to landfill, for the University as a whole. Data are taken from the weighing records of the waste-collection contractor and entered in a monthly waste register. Food waste is recorded separately.

V. Disposal of hazardous materials

7. Hazardous materials are inventoried, stored in labelled and sealed containers in secure places, never mixed with ordinary waste or poured into drains, and handed over only to licensed organisations, with each transfer documented. Electronic equipment is first offered for reuse; data-bearing devices are wiped before transfer. Staff who handle hazardous waste are trained regularly.

VI. Requirements for contractors

8. Contracts for catering, cleaning, construction and waste collection include obligations to comply with this Policy, to separate waste and to report the quantity of waste collected.

VII. Responsibilities

9. The Department of Housekeeping and Landscaping provides containers, manages waste contracts and keeps the waste register. Heads of laboratories are responsible for hazardous waste in their units, and the Labour Protection Service checks compliance. The Sustainability Committee considers the annual waste report.

VIII. Monitoring and expected results

10. The following indicators are reported every year: total waste generated, recycled and sent to landfill (tonnes and per cent); hazardous waste transferred to licensed organisations; and food waste.

11. Expected results by 2030: at least 25 per cent of waste recycled; the amount of waste sent to landfill reduced compared with the 2025 baseline; all hazardous waste transferred to licensed organisations.

IX. 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 Recycling Program.

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