A change in operator has not resolved the waste disposal problem in Kabardino-Balkaria.

Residents of the republic, who had previously reported problems with waste collection, noted that the situation has not yet significantly improved since the regional operator, Ecotechprom, began operating.

"Caucasian Knot" reported that in April, the authorities of Kabardino-Balkaria refused to renew the regional waste collection operator's mandate for the company "Ekologistika," which had been the subject of numerous complaints from residents. Moreover, at least one tender to select a new contractor failed due to a lack of bids.

Since May 15 of this year, a new regional waste removal operator, Ecotechprom, has been operating in Kabardino-Balkaria, according to the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities of Kabardino-Balkaria. It replaces the previously operating company, Ecologistika, whose operations had been criticized by local residents. However, residents of the region who had previously reported problems with waste removal noted that the situation has not yet significantly improved.

For example, Anastasia Yemelyanova, a resident of Prokhladny, reported that there is still a significant amount of uncollected waste. "They've removed some trash, but there's still quite a lot of it, even on the main street of Prokhladny," she noted.

Ruslan Karamurzov, a resident of the village of Shalushka, also reported that the situation hasn't improved yet. "Trash is lying on the streets of the village, and no one is rushing to remove it." Tatyana Kh., a resident of the village of Malka in the Zolsky District, reported a similar situation.

Nina Khamukova from Nalchik reported that the previously accumulated trash has been removed, but new household waste continues to accumulate. "The only thing that has changed is that they've replaced the bins with one large bunker, but it's already overflowing, as it's used to store waste from six apartment buildings," she said.

As a reminder, in September 2025, the prosecutor's office filed a complaint with the official waste management operator in Kabardino-Balkaria, Ecologistika, regarding illegal dumps in the village of Islamey. The problem is also common in other settlements in the republic, social media users stated. The dumps in Islamey were removed after the prosecutor's office's response, but the problem with waste removal persists, residents later told the "Caucasian Knot".