Mostar faces financial crisis following Uborak landfill fire

The city of Mostar is facing a significant financial crisis following a fire at the Uborak landfill in June. The incident has turned waste management into a multi-million mark problem, as the city is forced to transport waste to alternative landfills across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mayor Mario Kordić has warned that the current situation is unsustainable, noting that the city is currently paying approximately 150 KM per ton of waste disposal, compared to the standard rate of 81 KM. This spike in costs, combined with a non-functional City Council and budget difficulties, has led to warnings of potential municipal service price hikes or even city bankruptcy.

To stabilize the system, authorities are working to obtain permits for the opening of the fourth and fifth landfill cells. Long-term solutions proposed include the restructuring of municipal companies and the development of new waste disposal capacities.