Croatia completes major ecological cleanup in Brezje, paving way for economic revival

After nearly two decades, the largest ecological remediation project in Croatia has reached completion in Brezje, near Varaždin. The successful cleanup of non-hazardous waste in the Brezje Industrial Zone involved the removal and recycling of 120,815 bales, amounting to 95,234 tons of waste. This extensive effort, valued at over 29 million euros, has paved the way for the area's return to economic function.

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Today, we can proudly say that Varaždin no longer has bales.

The final conference for the project, "Remediation of the closed non-hazardous waste landfill at the Brezje Industrial Zone location," was held at the Croatian National Theatre in Varaždin. Attendees included local officials, national ministers, and representatives from the companies involved in the remediation.

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This project is an indication that synergy and a synergistic effect between different political options are possible and that even the biggest problems can be solved when there is cooperation at all levels of government, regardless of political differences.

Varaždin Mayor Neven Bosilj highlighted the significance of the project, noting that the nearly 100,000 tons of waste had blocked the development of the city's entrance area. "Today, we can proudly say that Varaždin no longer has bales," Bosilj stated. He emphasized the project's success as a demonstration of synergy between different political factions and the resolution of major problems through cooperation across all levels of government.

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The Government of the Republic of Croatia made the decision to fully finance the remediation, given that it is a project of exceptional public interest.

Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Marija Vučković, thanked Mayor Bosilj and his team for their collaboration. She noted that the Croatian government fully financed the remediation due to its exceptional public interest. This investment is part of broader ongoing efforts in Varaždin and its county, encompassing water management, infrastructure, and green transition projects. The ministry is also working on legislative changes to improve the efficiency of addressing similar environmental cases in the future.

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This investment is part of continuous investments in Varaždin and Varaždin County – from water management and agglomeration, educational, sports and communal infrastructure, to green transition projects.