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Waste management and illegal dumping in the Balkans

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-10 07:21 UTC → 2026-09-10 18:29 UTC · added removed

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. Despite the presence of video surveillance and ramps, offenders have reportedly bypassed or damaged equipment to continue dumping large amounts of waste from citizens and companies, causing significant costs for the city budget and the utility company Čistoća. Similarly, in Veliki Radinci, Serbia, a previously remediated landfill site has once again become a dumping ground for plastic, biodegradable waste, and car parts, often under the cover of night. ground. In the Gorski Kotar region, an abandoned structure at Ravno Podolje has become a massive illegal landfill. Tons of mixed municipal and bulky waste are spilling from the windows and doors of a devastated house near a historic milestone. Despite being a scenic area for hikers and cyclists, local residents report that the site, located at the boundary of Lokava, Jelenja, and Čavala, remains unaddressed despite months of warnings. In Croatia, recent Recent expert findings near Varaždin confirmed two zones of improperly disposed waste, including approximately 1,352 tons of heterogeneous mixed waste and 30 tons of unknown mineral material, with a high concentration concentrations of microplastics detected in the groundwater. Recent developments show escalating environmental risks. In Gospić, officials Environmental risks have confirmed escalated with the presence discovery of PFAS, microplastics, and 6,500 tons of hazardous waste at the former Kukalj quarry in groundwater. Benkovac. USKOK investigations suggest an organized scheme involving the illegal importation of ground plastic and mixed waste from Slovenia and Italy. This waste contains heavy metals such as copper, lead, and antimony, with microplastics reportedly spreading 30 meters beyond the site. In response to contamination in Gospić and Benkovac, 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 waste materials before autumn rains to prevent further leaching. Meanwhile, in Varaždin, authorities are monitoring illegal landfills due to fears of flood-related pollutant spread, and in Mursko Središte, officials are battling illegal waste burning. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the municipality of Travnik has completed the first phase of a new waste management center in Slimena to improve regional efficiency.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-10 18:29 UTC Waste management and illegal dumping in the Balkans
  2. 2026-09-10 07:21 UTC Waste management and illegal dumping in the Balkans
  3. 2026-09-09 09:43 UTC Waste management and illegal dumping in the Balkans
  4. 2026-09-08 11:23 UTC Waste management and illegal dumping in the Balkans
  5. 2026-09-03 05:41 UTC Waste management and illegal dumping in the Balkans
  6. 2026-09-02 08:38 UTC Waste management challenges in Croatia and the Balkans
  7. 2026-09-01 09:15 UTC Illegal waste disposal in Croatia

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