Hajdas Doncic has a big plan for the waste problem: From the bucket to the energy tank!

Siniša Hajdaš Dončić, president of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), announced a comprehensive overhaul of Croatia’s waste management system during an appearance on the central evening news program of Croatian Television. Speaking alongside representatives of the coalition partner Možemo!, he presented the first segment of their joint electoral platform, which focuses exclusively on waste governance. The proposed strategy, summarized by the slogan "from bin to energy plant," aims to transform waste handling into a public service under stronger state control while eliminating private sector involvement in the industry. Hajdaš Dončić argued that citizens currently fulfill their part of the process through proper sorting, yet the subsequent infrastructure fails to function effectively. He stated that the existing funds available for this purpose are sufficient but remain unspent due to mismanagement. Specifically, he criticized current practices where over half a billion euros are transferred annually into interest-bearing accounts instead of being invested in domestic infrastructure. According to him, these resources should be deployed immediately for landfill remediation, the construction of energy plants, composting facilities, and biological treatment units. The political leader emphasized that this initiative is a long-term project that cannot be completed within a single year. However, the SDP and Možemo! intend to alter the fundamental structure of the waste management system during the first year of a potential mandate. A primary priority will be the rehabilitation of existing landfills, including illegal dumping sites, particularly those located in karst regions. Hajdaš Dončić claimed that his parties have already mapped all landfills and prepared specific remediation plans for each site, asserting that the necessary financial means exist for these operations. Looking ahead to a four-year term, the coalition outlined specific infrastructure goals. They pledged to construct six sorting centers and approximately thirty new facilities for processing bio-waste. Furthermore, they expressed confidence in completing the construction of an energy plant within the first year of office. Hajdaš Dončić insisted that without such a facility, there can be no holistic waste management system in Croatia. He explained that the planned plant would generate both electrical and thermal energy, with the latter intended for heating purposes. In a sharp critique of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Hajdaš Dončić accused the party of failing to resolve the waste crisis for three decades. He alleged that the HDZ has allowed private interest groups, which he referred to as an "eco mafia," to continue operating without preparing the necessary documentation for infrastructure projects. As a counter-example, he highlighted Zagreb, where the SDP and Možemo! have reportedly finalized the documentation for building a public energy plant. He indicated that a tender for its construction could be issued soon. Regarding the future of the Jakuševec landfill in Zagreb, the SDP president suggested it should remain operational until a new-generation Waste Management Center is built in Resnik. He noted that a plan for this center is already prepared. However, he warned that even modern centers cannot solve the entire problem independently because residual substrate remains after initial processing. This leftover material, he argued, must be processed in energy plants, necessitating a fully integrated system design. The joint program explicitly calls for the removal of private companies from the waste sector. Under the proposed model, waste collection and processing would become a unified public service. This shift is designed to ensure consistent pricing for garbage collection across the country, although the text cuts off before detailing the full extent of the price standardization measures. The coalition views state supervision and organization as essential components of this new framework. Hajdaš Dončić described the agreement between the SDP and Možemo! as already signed, signaling a solidified partnership for the upcoming elections. By choosing waste management as the inaugural topic of their shared platform, the two parties aimed to address a persistent and visible issue affecting daily life. The presentation served as a preview of their broader electoral agenda, highlighting a focus on systemic change rather than incremental adjustments. The leaders stressed that political will exists to drive these changes, contrasting their approach with what they characterized as years of broken promises by previous administrations. The discussion underscored the technical complexities of waste management, distinguishing between immediate administrative changes and long-term capital investments. While the first-year goal is structural reform, the physical construction of sorting centers and energy facilities spans the entire legislative period. The emphasis on mapping landfills and securing funding suggests a data-driven approach to remediation efforts. The inclusion of thermal energy production links environmental policy directly to urban utility planning, particularly for residential heating needs in major cities. Critics of the current system often point to the fragmentation of responsibilities and lack of transparency in private contracts. The proposed public service model seeks to consolidate these functions under government oversight. By claiming that funds are currently sitting idle in interest-bearing accounts, the opposition argues that the barrier to progress is political rather than financial. This narrative frames the issue as one of allocation and intent, suggesting that immediate action is possible if the governing majority shifts. The reference to the "eco mafia" reflects ongoing tensions regarding the role of private contractors in public utilities. The coalition asserts that removing these entities will reduce costs and improve efficiency. Their plan relies on the assumption that state-run operations can match or exceed the performance of private firms while ensuring accountability. The specific mention of karst areas highlights the geological challenges associated with landfill remediation in certain parts of the country, requiring specialized engineering solutions. As the election campaign progresses, the detailed rollout of other policy segments is expected to follow this initial announcement. The waste management platform sets a tone of direct confrontation with incumbent policies, using specific figures and project timelines to substantiate claims. The visual imagery of "bin to energy plant" serves as a mnemonic device for voters, simplifying a complex logistical challenge into a clear linear process. The ultimate objective is a closed-loop system where waste is minimized, recycled, or converted into energy, reducing reliance on traditional disposal methods.