While the EU recycles 50 to 60 percent of its waste, in Serbia this percentage is seven to eight percent. The Center for Environmental Policy states that underdeveloped technical project documentation makes it difficult to access European funds.
According to the latest research by the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2019, close to 12 million tons of waste were produced in Serbia. This means that 1.7 tons were produced per capita.
The largest amount of waste was created in the category of waste from thermal processes and with about 8.3 million tons it makes close to 70 percent of the total amount of waste produced.
Next is the category of municipal waste with two million tons, which is 0.33 tons per capita, and packaging waste with a little more than 1.4 tons.
Out of 12 million tons of waste, in 2019 it was used again, that is. 2.27 million tons of waste were recycled.
Most of the recycled was scrap iron, followed by paper and cardboard packaging. From the category of hazardous waste, the most treated are electronic and electrical equipment, lead batteries, waste oils and waste containing oils.
As stated in this report, the biggest problem is still illegal landfills. Data on them were submitted by 131 local self-government units, so it is estimated that there are 2,305 such landfills in Serbia.
Where are we in relation to the EU?
According to Eurostat data, in 2018, the EU recycled over 40 percent of the plastic packaging produced.
Compared to it, in the period from 2017 to 2019, Serbia recycled 14,000 tons or two percent of this type of municipal waste from 831,000 tons of municipal plastic waste, according to the research on plastic waste management conducted by the State Audit Institution.
According to Marko Vujic from the Center for Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development of the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade, 50 to 60 percent of the total amount of waste is recycled in the EU. Compared to the EU, Serbia recycles from seven to eight percent.
Vujic points out that the EU’s recommendations are that countries should invest two to three percent of the total GDP in the field of environmental policy, while Serbia is currently investing 0.3 percent.
“If we immediately started investing at least 300, 400 million euros a year, approximately 2040, it would be when we would reach the current level of the EU in the field of environmental protection. However, we must be aware that the EU will not remain at this level, but will make further progress. ”
Our interlocutor emphasizes that Serbia, as a country that has started accession negotiations with the EU, has the right to funds from European IPA funds with which it can improve environmental protection.
“The European Union cares that regardless of whether we will enter the EU or not, it has a neighbor whose yard is clean. They want to green us out of their own interest so that we do not endanger them. We need to understand that it is in our interest and to use these means. However, the EU is looking for serious technical project documentation that has not been developed in our country, and that is why we remain deprived of these funds.”
According to Marko Vujic, such a low recycling rate costs Serbia at least three levels.
“It costs us because we have a large number of landfills and dumps in almost every suburb of the municipality or city. With the decomposition of waste, hazardous substances enter the soil and groundwater, which will end up in drinking water or arable land. We lose from 100 to 150 million euros a year because we do not recycle at least 30 percent of our waste and we forget that waste is a serious resource today. Third, we are losing about 20,000 potential “green” jobs, not counting the side jobs that would depend on the recycling industry.”
According to the national strategy for approximation, ie assessment in the field of environment from 2011, it is estimated that around 11 billion euros need to be invested in this area.
In addition to waste treatment, it also includes solving the problem of wastewater, air pollution and the like.
However, our interlocutor emphasizes that since we have not made serious investments in the field of environmental protection since 2011, the number has grown from 11 to 15.5 billion euros.
This means that every year of “inaction” in this area costs us half a billion euros.
What can citizens do?
That if you come across small three-part kits for separating paper, plastic and metal packaging in the city, throw your waste like a bottle of water or a can in them.
If there are specialized large containers for separating paper, metal, plastic and glass near your home, and you are willing to sort the waste, you can dispose of it in them.
If there are no such containers in your vicinity, you can get free eco bags from JKP “Gradska cistoca” in which you will dispose of cans, plastic and tetrapack packaging and paper, and they will pick up the bags at the agreed time.
Also, every first weekend of the month, this company carries bulky waste such as white goods or old furniture. All you need to do is inform the plant in your municipality that you have left this waste next to the container.
By collecting plastic caps for one of the humanitarian organizations such as “Plug to Smile” or “Plug for Handicap”, you can help children with disabilities to receive aids.
Finally, you can sell your old white goods to recycling centers that deal with electronic waste recycling. For an old refrigerator, for example, you can get from 6 to 8 euros, Danas reports.
