Montenegro waste management deemed unsuccessful by State Audit Institution

The State Audit Institution (DRI) has labeled waste management in Montenegro as unsuccessful for the period between 2021 and 2025. The audit highlights long-standing issues regarding planning, implementation of measures, and systemic control, noting that waste management has not yet been recognized as a strategic priority.

Reliability of data remains a critical weakness. While the National Waste Management Plan for 2025–2029 identifies 334 illegal landfills based on local government data, discrepancies exist. For instance, in Bar, local utility services claim there are no registered wild landfills or permanent ‘black ecological points,’ despite teams daily encountering improperly disposed construction waste, furniture, and appliances.

The Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development reported that 103 wild landfills were removed over the last two years. However, Minister Damjan Ćulafić warned that new illegal sites continue to emerge due to the irresponsible behavior of individuals and collectives.