Zagreb explains Jelačić Square waste container choice: 'Multidisciplinary team assessed all possible locations'

Zagreb officials have defended the decision to place underground waste containers in the city's main square, Jelačić Square, citing a "multidisciplinary team" that found it to be the most suitable location.

Dinka Živalj, the city's spokesperson, explained that extensive underground installations, including water, electricity, gas, and telecommunications lines, as well as tram infrastructure, made other potential sites unfeasible. "This is the best possible location given the circumstances," she stated, adding that all necessary state and city approvals, including those from conservationists, have been obtained.

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Multidisciplinary team from the City visited all possible locations. No other could serve this purpose due to installations underground. We have water, electricity, gas, telecommunications installations, and also ZET infrastructure. That is the key reason why this location was chosen, which passed all criteria of conservators and all city offices. We also have state approvals. All approvals are there. This is the best possible location given the circumstances.

Živalj highlighted the advantages of underground containers over traditional waste bags, emphasizing their larger capacity, contribution to a tidier public space, reduced odor, and pest deterrence. She noted that these containers are easier to empty and represent a significant improvement over bags, which she described as the only alternative.

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So, underground containers have many advantages. First of all, there is much larger volume for waste, the consequence is tidiness of public space, much less unpleasant odors spread, they do not attract pests. They are emptied much more easily. Because of this, they are a much better solution than bags, and you must know that the only alternative is bags.

The city is currently implementing a broader project to install underground and semi-underground containers throughout Zagreb. To date, 275 underground containers have been installed at 66 locations in the city center, with over 500 semi-underground units also deployed. Sesvete has become the first city district to fully complete this waste management upgrade.

Addressing concerns about potential traffic disruptions from waste collection trucks, Živalj expressed confidence that operations would be smooth, drawing parallels with existing underground containers in other city locations like Zrinjevac that function without issue. Detailed logistical plans are managed by Zagrebački Holding.

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I believe the trucks will not block traffic. We have underground containers in other locations, like Zrinjevac, and everything functions normally.