Rudeš chemical hazard persists as toxic waste remains in abandoned factories

Environmental inspectors report that dangerous and flammable chemicals left from former factories in the industrial zone of Rudeš have not been fully removed. While the Agency for Environmental Protection of Montenegro, with a licensed firm, extracted about 85 tonnes of hazardous material four years ago, records from the Inspection Office indicate that roughly 110 tonnes still sit at five sites, including the former pulp‑and‑paper laboratory.

The chemicals pose fire and contamination risks to nearby residents. Refugee settlement Riversajd, housing thousands of people close to the factories, says the threat to health and safety is a daily concern. The abandoned plants are privately owned, and state authorities claim the issue falls outside their jurisdiction, prompting repeated calls from locals for comprehensive inspections and remediation.

Officials have not clarified what removal actions are planned, leaving the community in fear of possible accidents that could endanger lives and the environment.