Zagreb scraps waste bin cards amid business misuse, shifts to app system

Zagreb is moving away from physical access cards for its underground waste bins, a system that has been plagued by misuse. Households were issued cards to open the bins, but many ended up in the hands of restaurateurs and caterers, some of whom were reportedly selling them.

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Citizens complain that they have too few cards and I understand them. However, it happened that cards belonging to private households were used by restaurateurs in Donji Grad. Some even sold them to restaurateurs, for whom it was then more profitable to use other people's cards than to pay for waste disposal in the manner prescribed for them.

Dunja Mazzocco Drvar, head of the City Office for Economy, Ecological Sustainability and Strategic Planning, revealed this at a Večernji List forum for residents. She explained that the city had to limit the number of cards and is now gradually replacing them with an app-based unlocking system. "Unfortunately, because of those who broke the rules, we had to limit the options for those who respected them," she stated, adding that physical cards are being phased out because their misuse cannot be prevented.

Residents expressed frustration, with some finding the app impractical, especially for the elderly. They also voiced concerns about the reduction in available cards. Beyond waste management, discussions at the forum touched upon parking issues. Some residents complained that the underground bins occupy valuable parking spaces in already crowded areas, while others criticized the "block parking" system, which restricts street parking for visitors.

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Unfortunately, because of those who broke the rules, we had to limit the options for those who respected them. Physical cards are gradually being phased out because we simply cannot prevent their misuse.

Andro Pavuna, head of the City Office for Local Self-Government, Traffic, Civil Protection and Safety, addressed the parking complaints. He suggested that the problem might be an excess of cars rather than a lack of parking spaces. Regarding block parking, he noted it helps residents find nearby spots but acknowledged that visitors might need to use public garages or pay for daily parking if they plan to stay longer than allowed under the system.

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People say that they cannot invite family for Christmas because guests cannot park in the street all day. They can, but they have to pay for a daily ticket or use public garages.