Balen: By the end of September, the plan to recover 33 thousand tons of wasteThe cleanup of waste in Gospić is accelerating, according to Luka Balen, director of the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency. Two main tasks have been selected for the cleanup: handling 650 tons of waste from Big Bag bags and covering nearly 33,000 tons of buried waste with waterproof foil. The legal period for appeals against these decisions is currently ongoing. According to the chosen contractor’s proposal, hazardous waste from the bags will be removed from the site and processed at their facility, where recycling is planned. The entire process could take up to six months. One of the selected contractors, Kostak, has faced scrutiny due to allegations related to its Slovenian parent group’s business practices. However, Balen emphasized that the selection was based on compliance with legal and technical requirements. He noted that the same group is involved in a major infrastructure project, the construction of the Piškornica Waste Management Center, where no issues have been reported. Balen stated that monitoring indicates parameters remain within acceptable limits.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the environmental cleanup efforts in Gospić, including the selection of contractors, timelines, and legal procedures. It includes balanced quotes from Luka Balen, who explains both the technical aspects of the project and the legal considerations behind
Why factuality (85): The article reports on the ongoing remediation efforts at the Gospić site, referencing the selected contractor Kostak and the legal process around waste disposal. It aligns with the primary source document regarding the illegal dumping allegations and the current cleanup measures. However, it does n
Why objectivity (70): The tone is somewhat supportive of the remediation efforts and presents the selection of Kostak as a positive step. There is a subtle implication that the firm has expertise in this area, which could be seen as favoring the company rather than presenting a balanced view.
Net.hrIndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 559/2/2026The Environmental Protection Fund has selected a Croatian branch of the Slovenian company Kostak to cover 33,000 tons of waste in Gospić as a temporary measure before final remediation. This decision has raised concerns due to Kostak’s connection to a major environmental scandal in Slovenia involving illegal waste disposal. Journalists questioned Prime Minister Andrej Plenković about whether selecting this firm sends a positive message, especially since the company’s director is linked to a criminal organization accused of illegal waste dumping in Slovenia. Plenković defended the choice, stating that the firm was selected based on its ability to perform the task quickly and safely, emphasizing that covering the waste is necessary to prevent contamination of water and soil. He clarified that the process involves transporting and sorting the waste, with hazardous materials being sent abroad for incineration. The controversy stems from ongoing investigations into Kostak’s alleged illegal activities dating back to 2022.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the selection of the company by the Environmental Protection Fund and the concerns raised by journalists regarding its potential ties to a corruption scandal. It includes direct quotes from Prime Minister Plenković defending the decision and provides context about the legal
Why factuality (70): This article discusses the connection between the Croatian subsidiary of Kostak and the alleged illegal waste dumping scandal in Slovenia. While it references the primary source document’s claims, it lacks detailed information on the legal proceedings and the specific roles of individuals involved.
Why objectivity (55): The article takes a critical stance towards the choice of Kostak, suggesting possible links to illegal activities. This introduces a biased perspective by focusing on potential wrongdoing without providing full context or balance.
