Illegal waste dumping spreads from Zagreb, environmental group urges action

The environmental association "Ekologija grada" (Ecology of the City) is sounding the alarm over the escalating problem of illegal waste dumping, stating that it is no longer confined to Zagreb but is spreading to neighboring areas.

The association expressed frustration over the lack of response from the Croatian Parliament's Committee on Environmental Protection and Nature, to whom they sent a letter over two months ago. They highlighted that the current waste management model has failed to prevent recurring issues, particularly the proliferation of illegal landfills filled with construction and mixed waste.

"Ekologija grada" pointed to official figures from the City of Zagreb for 2025, which show that over 6,200 tons of waste were collected via the e-Redar system, at a cost exceeding 4.5 million euros. Additionally, more than 4,000 irregularities were recorded through video surveillance. The association argues these numbers do not indicate success but rather demonstrate the system's failure to address the root causes of the problem.

They emphasized that Zagreb has not established a functional waste management system, especially for construction debris. Without sufficient capacity, proper control at the point of origin, and effective municipal oversight, illegal dumping remains a profitable option for some, with citizens bearing the cost. The association is calling for a thematic session of the parliamentary committee, demanding reports from the City, inter-institutional oversight of waste flows, and stricter measures including waste control at construction sites, proof of disposal, physical barriers, vehicle confiscation, and harsher penalties for large-scale illegal dumping.