Tens of thousands of people joined a protest in Zagreb, Croatia, on Saturday (5 September), calling on the government to take action over illegal waste storage concerns and environmental risks linked to landfill sites.
The demonstrations focused on a waste site near Gospic, where authorities say contaminated materials from Italy, Slovenia and Germany were illegally transported and stored. Investigations into suspected cross-border waste trafficking have involved Europol and Croatian authorities.
The government pledged to clean up the site, but environmental groups say little progress has been made. Environmentalists say the waste is contaminating air, soil and water in Lika, a region known for its vast areas of unspoiled nature. They accuse the government of moving too slowly to remove it.
Key developments:
- 13 people were arrested in February 2025 as part of an investigation into illegal waste dumps.
- Around 35,000 tonnes of waste were identified by Europol, including plastic waste and hospital-related materials.
- According to Europol, the suspects generated around €4 million ($4.6 million) in profits. Authorities also believe documents may have been falsified to incorrectly classify plastic waste as suitable for recycling.
- Prosecutors reported soil contamination around the Gospic site, warning of environmental and health risks.
The government has faced calls for tighter waste controls, including a temporary ban on waste imports and a new national waste management plan.
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the government had selected a contractor for the first phase of the Gospic cleanup, which will involve removing waste from the site. Authorities are expected to continue remediation efforts as investigations into the illegal waste storage continue.
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