Mongolia is building its first major recycling plant for construction and demolition waste (CDW) at a facility near the capital Ulaanbaatar.

The city generates about 1.4 million tonnes of solid waste per year, of which 20-30% is CDW. The plant will have the capacity to process 150 000 tonnes of solid waste each month and recycle the materials to produce gravel and macadam.

The facility, which is 40% complete, comprises an area for crushing and sorting CDW, landfill, a garage and office buildings.

J. Sandagsuren, the first deputy mayor of Ulaanbaatar, who has responsibility for economy and infrastructure, says, ‘The Ulaanchuluut landfill is full so, it will be closed in 2024. 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. In addition, the CDW Recycling Plant will be the first of its kind in Mongolia.’

He said the infrastructure would bring significant benefits in environmental protection and public health and contribute to offering local citizens a better quality of life.