Croatia faces escalating waste management and landfill crises

Croatia is facing significant challenges regarding waste management and landfill safety across several regions. In Nova Gradiška, a fire broke out at the Šagulje-Ivik landfill, with officials suspecting arson. The incident highlights systemic issues, as the amount of waste brought to the site has increased by 130 percent since 2019, while local recycling rates remain well below the 55 percent target mandated by law.

In Gospić, the situation has gained international attention. Slovenian MEP Irena Joveva addressed the European Parliament regarding approximately 33,000 tons of waste buried in the area, noting that PFAS “forever chemicals” have been detected in the groundwater. Joveva emphasized that the issue is transboundary, alleging that waste from Italy, Germany, and Slovenia has been brought into the region.

Efforts to clear waste from the Gospić silo by transporting it to cement plants Holcim and Nexe have faced delays due to pending chemical analyses. Meanwhile, in Ogulin, political tension has risen over the Sodol landfill. Local officials and political representatives have called for investigations into the potential arrival of illegal waste, leading to temporary closures and calls for stricter documentation and oversight.