The average urban resident annually produces about 300 kilograms of various wastes. The main damage to the environment is caused by decomposing food residues that emit flammable methane, which is more dangerous than carbon dioxide. Plus hydrogen sulfide and other gases that are harmful to humans, which increase the greenhouse effect.

The total volume of municipal solid waste accumulated in the Republic of Kazakhstan is approximately 100 million tons. About 5–6 million tons of solid waste are generated annually. By 2025, this figure could rise to 8 million. In this case, the garbage is taken to landfills without prior disposal.

Polygons are growing and greedily absorbing new territories. There are about 4 thousand of them in the country today, including spontaneous dumps.