Croatia: People take to the streets for hazardous waste

In Croatia, residents have taken to the streets in response to hazardous waste dumping near the town of Gospić. On August 21, 2026, the Croatian Parliament convened an extraordinary session to address illegal waste disposal in the area. Delegates rejected all four proposals submitted by President Zoran Milanović, which called for immediate commencement of site remediation. Instead, they approved eleven proposals from the ruling majority, none of which set specific timelines for beginning or completing the cleanup process. The decision has deeply angered local residents, who now warn of protests in the capital city. The parliamentary decisions require the government to submit a progress report within 90 days, detailing measures taken, costs incurred, environmental monitoring results, and potential risks. The report must also include ongoing monitoring of water, soil, and air quality, along with enhanced oversight of the landfill. Despite these demands, no definitive timeframes were established for actual waste removal. President Milanović had proposed stricter measures, including permanent groundwater monitoring and mandatory weekly updates from the government. He also wanted the administration to consult representatives of concerned citizens within three days. These proposals were rejected, prompting loud expressions of frustration from opposition lawmakers during the session. Local civil initiative “Our Home Gospić” expressed deep disappointment over the parliament’s decision. Representatives emphasized that the ruling majority completely disregarded expert opinions from the Faculty of Geotechnics, which clearly demonstrated contamination of soils and negative impacts on underground waters. With no deadlines set for remediation, the initiative has once again called for a large public demonstration. Scheduled for September 5 in Zagreb under the slogan “Walk for Lika, for Croatia, for the People,” the protest has received support from several opposition members. Sandra Benčić of the party Zmoremo! stressed that this issue is no longer just a local concern but a threat to the entire country. Members from the parties Most and SDP have also encouraged mass participation. Meanwhile, officials from the governing party firmly denied accusations of inaction. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković accused the opposition of spreading panic and misinformation, while Environment Minister Marija Vučković claimed her ministry had made no mistakes. According to analyses conducted by experts from the Faculty of Geotechnics, following an order from the Office for Prevention of Corruption and Organized Crime (Uskok), approximately 37,000 tons of mixed waste have been found on the industrial complex grounds in Bilajsko Street. Their findings confirmed the presence of microplastics and elevated concentrations of heavy metals in the soil. Additionally, harmful compounds known as PFAS were detected in the subsurface water downstream of the dumpsite. Although authorities have stated that this underground water does not feed into the public drinking water system, current tests on tap water have shown it to be safe for consumption. However, the Environmental Fund has released a broader assessment indicating that the site contains up to 45,000 tons of waste, including materials buried in pits and stored in containers. Despite assurances from local authorities, residents remain worried about their health and continue demanding urgent action.