Zagreb launches new bulky waste management system – Mayor Tomašević

Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević, a former environmental activist, has announced the introduction of a new bulky waste management system that should save Croatia’s capital EUR 4.4 million annually. The measure was part of the program of his green-left coalition We Can!, which focuses on energy transition, waste and water management, sustainable mobility, and the introduction of circular economy principles.

Tomislav Tomašević won the mayoral election in the capital city of Croatia at the end of May with a record result. His victory – given that he has been an environmental activist since the age of 16 – but also of his We Can! list, have great significance in the territory of former Yugoslavia for movements, associations, non-governmental organizations and all citizens seeking greater environmental protection and sustainable development.

Tomašević said the price of disposal of bulky waste in Zagreb, EUR 240 per tonne, was one of the highest in the country. For comparison, Rijeka pays EUR 147, and Samobor EUR 87, he added. The price was high in Zagreb because former city authorities hired private companies instead of establishing their own bulky waste recovery system, he said during the presentation.

Zagreb has hired private companies to dispose bulky waste, and the new mayor abandoned the model

Since June, a plateau was arranged for separating the said waste in order to extract valuable raw materials such as wood and metal that the city can sell, and then a tender was announced for the purchase of two crushers for bulky waste that will be financed from European Union funds, Tomašević noted. Until these crushers are bought, one crusher will be rented, in his words.

Tomašević added the city canceled the tender for private operators for a two-year contract for the disposal of bulky waste.

The new bulky waste management system will bring annual savings sufficient for the construction of one kindergarten

The new bulky waste management system will save EUR 4.4 million a year which is enough to construct a kindergarten for about 200 children, the mayor said.

The new scheme caused a delay in the removal of the material from the streets of Zagreb, so the mayor thanked the residents of the Croatian capital for their patience and asked them for a little more patience until the new system starts working.

We Can! is implementing the things promised during the campaign for the local elections, Tomašević said.