Sekopak opens first membrane dam against packaging waste in Serbia

Sekopak company opened the first dam in Serbia for the protection from packaging waste on the Raška river. The newly-opened membrane dam collects packaging waste from the river streams, thus effectively preventing the pollution of water.

By using the dam mechanism the packaging waste will not only be prevented from entering the river flow but it will be reused thanks to the recycling industry. The dam is built from blocks made of high-quality stainless steel, and designed not to interfere with the rivers’ ecosystem.

The EUR 100.000 worth project is funded by Sekopak, with the support of partners from the Apatin brewery, companies Tetra Pak, Knjaz Miloš, Ball, CRH and the Municipality of Raška.

„Long and fruitful cooperation between the Municipality of Raška and Sekopak inspired us to take protection of the environment, especially that of our rivers, to the next level. This project will set new standards in protection of Serbian rivers, and the outcome of this pilot project will be starting point for building the new dams“, “ said Sekopak’s director Violeta Belanović Kokir.

Opening ceremony was attended by the Serbian Minister of Agriculture and Environmental protection Branislav Nedimović, US Ambasador to Serbia Kyle Randolph Scott, Canadian ambassador Phillip Pinnington, President of the Municipality of Raška Ignjat Rakitić and representatives of Sekopak and Apatin brewery.

„Sekopak and its founders should be the role-model for all other companies when it comes to protection of our environment. The government recognized the importance of this pilot project, and if it succeeds, we are ready to support building of similar dams on other rivers in Serbia“, said Minister of Agriculture and Environmental protection Branislav Nedimović.

With the help of its partners and the network of collectors, in the past seven years Sekopak collected and delivered for recycling more than 240.000 tons of packaging waste.