Mongolia invests in ‘first of its kind’ recycling plant

Government officials visit the site of the new recycling facility in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. (Photo: Montsame)

Ulaanbaatar city is located in the north of the country and has a population of around 1.6 million people. It produces around 1.4 million t of solid waste every year, with between 20 and 30% of this coming from construction and demolition. 

Due to open in 2024, the new plant will comprise a construction and demolition waste sorting area and a crushing and screening area, as well as garages and an office building.  

The city’s first deputy mayor responsible for the economy and infrastructure, J Sandagsuren, said, “The CDW Recycling Plant will be the first of its kind in Mongolia. The plant will recycle the construction solid waste and turn them into gravel and macadam.”

Construction of the CDW recycling plant will be accompanied by a new landfill facility, which is to replace the city’s existing Ulaanchuluut landfill. “The Ulaanchuluut landfill is full. So, it will be closed in 2024,” said J Sandagsuren.

“As for the new waste landfill, it is expected to facilitate waste collection, transportation, recycling, and disposal services, and improve operational efficiency and environment and hygiene standards.”

According to the country’s state-owned news outlet, this “new waste infrastructure will bring about significant benefits in environmental protection and public health and will contribute to offering local citizens a better quality of life for the years to come”.

The recycling facility, which is being built as part of Ulaanbaatar’s Priority Investment Programme, is being co-financed by a $9.7 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and $5 million worth of grants from the EU Asia Investment facility.

Construction has started on a new CWD recycling plant in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. (Photo: Montsame)