BAKU, July 25, 2025 — Despite visible improvements in waste management infrastructure across the Azerbaijani capital, including the installation of color-coded bins near residential areas, many Baku residents continue to disregard basic rules of garbage disposal.
While green and orange containers — designated for organic waste and recyclables respectively — are now commonplace in the city, litter frequently accumulates around them, emitting foul odors and polluting the environment. According to experts, the problem stems from both a lack of awareness and poor civic discipline.
Akif Nasirli, head of the Center for Liberal Economists, said the situation reflects one of the country’s most persistent urban challenges. “Many citizens either don’t understand the purpose of the containers or simply ignore them,” he said. “Most people think the colors are decorative. But green is for food and organic waste, while orange is for paper, plastic, glass, and metal.”
Nasirli stressed that meaningful progress depends on systematic public education. “National television should play a leading role in raising awareness,” he said. “We need targeted messaging, instructional videos, and clear signage at waste collection points.” He pointed to the village of Gala, where billboards and signs explain how to package and sort waste, as a positive example.
He also called for environmental education in schools: “Children often throw garbage near bins because they were never taught otherwise. It’s crucial to include this topic in school curricula.”
As for enforcement, Nasirli acknowledged legal frameworks already exist — such as the Administrative Offenses Code — but rarely result in fines due to lack of evidence. “The law allows for penalties, but unless violators are caught in the act, it’s hard to enforce. Installing surveillance cameras at disposal sites could help,” he suggested.
Until both awareness and accountability improve, experts warn, the city’s efforts to modernize its waste system may fall short — leaving residents and the environment to bear the cost.
