Environmentalists of AlES JSC celebrated their holiday with an eco-cleanup day
On 5 June, the Company’s ecologists held a regular waste collection campaign in Butakov Gorge “#Birge – taza taular”
On 5 June, Kazakhstan, like the rest of the world, celebrates the International Day of Environmental Protection (Ecologist’s Day). This date was approved in Kazakhstan by Presidential Decree in 2011.
The ecologists of AlES JSC decided to celebrate their professional holiday with the environmental action “#Birge – taza taular” / “Together – clean mountains”.
Ecologists of all production departments and specialists of the head office gathered in Butakovskoe gorge to hold a regular field ecological action and collect rubbish left in the mountains by tourists. The place was not chosen by chance – it is one of the favourite recreation places of Almaty city residents. After the weekend on the banks of rivers and on the slopes there are mountains of rubbish, which the holidaymakers do not want and do not like to clean up after themselves, said Saltanat Zhanakhmetova, Chief Manager of the Environmental Protection Department.
“It is not in vain they say: cleanliness is not where they clean, but where they do not litter. That is why today all ecologists of JSC AlES have gathered to show an example to all residents of Almaty that it is necessary to treat the nature as well as your city with great love”, – said Zoya Arzyukova, Head of the Environmental Protection Department.
At the end of the campaign, eighteen 160 litre waste bags were collected: plastic waste (disposable tableware, food containers, cellophane waste bags), household waste (food wrappers, juice packets, plastic bottles, etc., leftovers).
The environmental impact of plastic waste goes beyond the loss of biodiversity – it is a complex and multifaceted issue encompassing various environmental, ecological and human health issues. Here are some aspects of the impacts:
✓ Water pollution and disruption of marine life of ecosystems
Plastic pollution contributes significantly to water pollution. Improper disposal of plastic waste such as bottles, bags and packaging materials leads to these items entering rivers, lakes and oceans. The longevity of plastic means that it can persist in aquatic environments for centuries. The accumulation of plastic rubbish poses a direct threat to marine life as animals can swallow the rubbish or become entangled in it, which can cause internal damage, blockages and even death.
✓ Air pollution from burning plastic
Disposing of plastic by incineration releases harmful air pollutants into the atmosphere. The combustion of plastic materials, mostly containing chlorine, can produce toxic substances such as dioxins and furans. These pollutants contribute to air pollution and adversely affect human health, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
✓ Contributing to climate change
The production and combustion of plastic is also a significant contributor to climate change, with more than 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted annually, a figure that is projected to increase if current trends continue.
The environmental impact of plastic underscores the urgent need to move towards reducing its use, increasing recycling efforts and developing alternative materials that minimize environmental damage.
The use of alternatives and responsible consumption is crucial for a future in which the environmental impact of plastic is minimized.
If every resident of Almaty and its visitors take a responsible attitude towards recreational areas: in the mountains, rivers, park areas, then by working together we can 3 hope to ease the burden on our city to ensure a healthier and more sustainable coexistence with nature.