Montenegro gives up on waste incinerator option

The Montenegrin government has recently adopted a decision amending the state waste management plan for 2015-2020, eliminating an option to build a waste incinerator, though still allowing for smaller thermal treatment facilities.

Prior to the amendments, the waste incinerator was envisaged as an option at a waste management center in Nikšić, which was disputed by environmentalists and experts, but also the EU, Vijesti wrote.

The amended plan now calls for setting up four regional waste management center, with a focus on recycling and construction and demolition waste (CDW) treatment.

The regional centers, which would be located in Podgorica, Nikšić, Bijelo Polje, and Bar, would be able to compete for waste from municipalities belonging to the other three regions.

Montenegro already has waste management centers in capital Podgorica and the Adriatic port town of Bar, while new centers would be opened in Nikšić and Bijelo Polje.

The EU had recommended recycling and waste reuse, noting that landfilling and incineration should be gradually phased out, Vijesti recalled.