Circular economy approaches for the management of textile waste in Tashkent: Viability and policy recommendations

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Research Center "Scientific bases and Issues of Economic Development Uzbekistan" under Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

2 Department of Finance and Tourism, Termez University of Economics and Service, Termez, Uzbekistan

3 Termiz State University of Engineering and Agrotechnologies, Termez, Uzbekistan

4 International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, 11 Abdulla Qodiri Street, Tashkent, 100011, Uzbekistan

5 Department of Economics, Mamun University, Khiva, Uzbekistan, & 5Department of Finance, Alfraganus University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

6 Department of Industrial Economics and Management, Tashkent State Technical University named after Islam Karimov, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

10.22124/cjes.2025.9358

Abstract

Textile waste management has turned out to be one of the major environmental and economic challenges that face metropolitan areas. This paper aimed to investigate how feasible it would be to implement circular economy strategies for the management of textile waste in Tashkent City, Uzbekistan. The research method used was a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) method based on data collection through a questionnaire from 300 households, semi-structured interviews with 35 key stakeholders (managers, private sector activists, and experts), and field observations. Quantitative findings demonstrated that the existing system is completely linear. It was observed that 55% of households in the city dispose of their textile waste directly into public trash bins. However, statistical results highlight that a high willingness of the community (74%) exists to contribute in separated collection systems if infrastructure will be available. On the other hand, experts identified a lack of separation and collection infrastructure, the weakness of the market for recycled material, and unsupportive policies as main barriers. Material composition has shown that approximately 60% of the stream is made up of cotton, which presents a good opportunity to begin mechanical recycling. The study concluded that transitioning toward a full circle economy in Tashkent seems feasible despite such structural barriers due to social and technical potential. This calls for the implementation of pilot projects, designing economic-political incentives, and integration of existing informal networks.

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 5
Special issue: Biological Researches and Envireonment, Guest Editor: Prof. Hamed Mousavi-Sabet, University of Guilan, Iran
December 2025
Pages 1167-1174

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