Croatia launches remediation of illegal waste sites in Gospić and Poznanovac

waste remediation illegal waste trade environmental crime hazardous waste Gospić

The Croatian government and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund have initiated large-scale remediation projects to address illegal waste deposits in Gospić and Poznanovac. In Gospić, at the former PPK Velebit site, authorities are managing approximately 37,000 tons of waste. This includes a priority plan to remove 650 tons of non-hazardous waste in big bags, with Holcim and NEXE designated as potential executors for energy recovery. Additionally, a contract valued at 8.77 million euros has been awarded to a group of bidders, including CE-ZA-R, to remove 4,500 tons of scattered waste near a silo.

In Poznanovac, a remediation project for 13,200 tons of illegally deposited waste has been awarded to a consortium including SAUBERMACHER-TS and EKO-FLOR PLUS. This project is valued at 11.7 million euros and is expected to take 18 months.

Concerns remain regarding the technical suitability of the Gospić waste for use as cement industry fuel. Expert Renato Šarc noted that analyses of the 650 tons of waste show significant heterogeneity and parameter deviations that may limit its use. Furthermore, the presence of PFAS (forever chemicals) has been detected in two wells near the Gospić site, though official drinking water remains safe. The illegal waste trade is linked to broader organized crime investigations by Europol, involving the movement of waste across European borders, including from Italy through Slovenia to Croatia and potentially into Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Entities

Branko Bačić · Croatian Parliament · Damir Habijan · Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund · Fond za zaštitu okoliša i energetsku učinkovitost · Gospić · Government of Croatia · HRejting · Holcim · Istria County Assembly · Marija Vučković · Nexe

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Protesters in Našice claim the Nexe cement plant lacks appropriate filters for waste incineration. www.vecernji.hr
[● 2 SOURCES] The Scientific Council identified two practical options for the 35,000 tons of hazardous waste in Gospić: complete excavation for removal outside Croatia or on-site sorting and processing. www.novilist.hr
[● 6 SOURCES] Analyses of 650 tons of waste in Gospić show significant deviations and limitations for its use as fuel in the cement industry. ogportal.com · glas-slavonije.hr · n1info.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Europol investigations indicate that illegal waste trade is a highly profitable business for organized crime in Europe. n1info.ba
[DISPUTED] The Croatian government decided on September 10 to remove approximately 650 tons of non-hazardous waste from Gospić, potentially directing it to cement plants. ogportal.com · glas-slavonije.hr · n1info.hr · www.dalmacijadanas.hr · baustela.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] The remediation in Poznanovac is scheduled to take 18 months. lidermedia.hr · narod.hr · www.zagorje.com · zadarskilist.novilist.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund has selected contractors for waste remediation in Poznanovac and Gospić. lidermedia.hr · narod.hr · www.zagorje.com · zadarskilist.novilist.hr
[● 5 SOURCES] The bid for the Gospić remediation is valued at 8.77 million euros excluding VAT. lidermedia.hr · narod.hr · www.jutarnji.hr · www.24sata.hr · zadarskilist.novilist.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] The bid for Poznanovac remediation is valued at 11.7 million euros excluding VAT. lidermedia.hr · narod.hr · www.zagorje.com · zadarskilist.novilist.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] Contractors for Poznanovac will remove approximately 13,200 tons of illegally deposited waste. lidermedia.hr · narod.hr · www.zagorje.com · zadarskilist.novilist.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The remediation in Gospić will be funded by state institutions through the Environmental Protection Fund or directly from the budget. www.index.hr
[DISPUTED] In Gospić, contractors will remove approximately 4,500 tons of scattered waste near a silo. lidermedia.hr · narod.hr · www.jutarnji.hr · www.dalmacijadanas.hr · www.24sata.hr · +1 more