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16 clusters · 48 sources · 54 days · First seen · Last updated

Waste management and illegal dumping in the Balkans

Overview

Illegal waste disposal remains a persistent issue in Croatia and the wider Balkans. In addition to construction waste being abandoned in forests and roadsides in Kotoriba and Mraclin, new reports indicate that illegal dumping is resurfacing in several areas despite cleanup efforts. In Rijeka, Croatia, a site at Pehlin near a recycling yard has seen massive accumulations of waste only months after a major cleanup in March. Similarly, in Veliki Radinci, Serbia, a previously remediated landfill site has once again become a dumping ground. In the Gorski Kotar region, an abandoned structure at Ravno Podolje has become a massive illegal landfill. Recent developments highlight urban challenges in Zagreb, where the Maksimir district faces persistent dumping in an area described as a ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of waste. Spanning approximately 10,000 square meters across locations such as Vlaha Bukovca Square and Eisenhuthova Street, the zone has required 155 emergency interventions by the waste management service, Čistoća, this year alone. Residents report that these issues have persisted for three years without a permanent solution. Environmental risks have escalated with the discovery of 6,500 tons of hazardous waste at the former Kukalj quarry in Benkovac. A USKOK investigation has expanded to include five individuals and four companies, revealing that at least 6,475 tons of heterogeneous waste were buried there. Experts from the University of Varaždin found high concentrations of metals, dissolved organic carbon, and microplastics, noting the mobility of the toxic element antimony. While a stone barrier has limited spread to 150 meters, microplastics have already been detected in soil samples outside the site boundaries. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Branko Bačić announced that the government will bypass public procurement to fast-track the removal of non-hazardous waste and cover buried toxic materials.

Entities

Gospić · Croatia · USKOK · Benkovac · Zagreb

Claims

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

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Zagreb's Maksimir district faces persistent illegal waste dumping

    Illegal waste dumping in a 10,000-square-meter area of Zagreb's Maksimir district has required 155 emergency cleanups this year, despite years of resident complaints.

  2. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Croatia implements stricter waste management to combat illegal dumping

    Croatia is implementing stricter waste management controls and GPS tracking to combat illegal dumping, while experts suggest adopting Danish models like CopenHill to turn waste into energy and public space.

  3. [CRIME] 4 sources
    USKOK investigation reveals massive illegal waste dump in Benkovac

    USKOK's investigation into illegal waste disposal in Benkovac found 6,475 tons of waste containing toxic metals and microplastics, sparking criticism of judicial effectiveness in Croatia.

  4. [INTERNATIONAL] 11 sources
    Nexe cement plant faces protests over Gospić waste incineration

    Citizens in Našice are protesting the use of waste from Gospić as fuel in the Nexe cement plant, while the company maintains all shipments are non-hazardous and comply with environmental regulations.

  5. [INTERNATIONAL] 6 sources
    Croatia faces escalating waste management and landfill crises

    Croatia faces a growing waste crisis involving landfill fires in Nova Gradiška, PFAS contamination in Gospić, and allegations of illegal transboundary waste imports discussed in the European Parliament.

  6. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Waste management issues reported in Kragujevac and Gospić

    Environmental concerns rise in the Balkans as residents in Kragujevac, Serbia, and Gospić, Croatia, face unfulfilled waste management promises and illegal landfilling issues.

  7. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Bosnia and Herzegovina faces risks of becoming European waste destination

    Activists warn that Bosnia and Herzegovina may become a destination for European waste due to weak environmental regulations and insufficient oversight.

  8. [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    Balkan region faces rising waste management and illegal dumping crises

    Balkan nations face rising waste management crises, with Montenegro seeing record monthly waste volumes and Croatia struggling with a 73% surge in construction waste and illegal dumping.

  9. [INTERNATIONAL] 13 sources
    Gospić waste crisis triggers debate in European Parliament

    The illegal toxic waste crisis in Gospić has sparked heated debate in the European Parliament and prompted a Scientific Council to evaluate remediation methods, including waste excavation or on-site treatment.

  10. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Illegal waste dumping discovered in Otok, Croatia

    Authorities are investigating the illegal dumping of 106 tons of Italian plastic and textile waste in Otok, Croatia, by a Slovenian national who falsely claimed the shipment was destined for Bulgaria.

  11. [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Benkovac faces toxic waste crisis after illegal dumping discovery

    Authorities are responding to the discovery of 6,500 tons of toxic waste, including microplastics and heavy metals, at a quarry in Benkovac, Croatia, following investigations into illegal waste imports.

  12. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Ravno Podolje site becomes illegal landfill in Gorski Kotar

    An abandoned building at the Ravno Podolje scenic point in Croatia's Gorski Kotar region has been transformed into a massive illegal landfill, causing environmental concerns for local residents.

  13. [INTERNATIONAL] 10 sources
    Waste management and illegal dumping issues spark regional concern

    Regional authorities are tackling waste crises, including illegal landfills in Croatia causing groundwater contamination and new waste management infrastructure developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

  14. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Illegal waste dumping resurfaces in Serbia and Croatia despite cleanup efforts

    Illegal dumping persists in Veliki Radinci, Serbia, and Rijeka, Croatia, as new waste piles reappear shortly after local authorities conduct major cleanup operations.

  15. [INTERNATIONAL] 9 sources
    Balkan waste management faces systemic challenges

    Balkan nations face diverse waste management challenges, ranging from massive landfill volumes in Bosnia and Herzegovina to regulatory hurdles in Slovenia and processing capacity gaps in Croatia.

  16. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Drava River threatened by illegal waste dumping near Varaždin

    Illegal dumping of electronics, plastic, and construction waste in forests near Varaždin threatens to pollute the Drava River as local reports to authorities have reportedly gone unaddressed.

Sources

023.hr · 035portal.hr · 24sata.hr · aktuelno.me · bbzinfo.hr · borba.me · bosnainfo.ba · cityportal.hr · dalmacijadanas.hr · dalmatinskiportal.hr · dan.co.me · dnevno.hr · drukciji.ba · emedjimurje.net.hr · espreso.co.rs · eventbrite.co.uk · fenix-magazin.de · fns.org · glas-slavonije.hr · index.hr · jajce-online.com · jutarnji.hr · kragujevacke.rs · kronikevg.com · kurir.rs · lavoce.hr · likaclub.net.hr · lokalec.si · metro-portal.hr · monitor.hr · mozemo.hr · n1info.hr · n1info.rs · novilist.hr · ogportal.com · onogost.me · prigorski.hr · rtvtk.ba · sremskenovine.co.rs · studentski.hr · telegram.hr · Tportal.hr · veritas.org.rs · vijesti.hrt.hr · zadarskilist.hr · zagreb.info · zelenaslovenija.si · zosradio.ba

This summary has been updated 17 times: see revision history