The city is looking for a new contractor for the landfill.

Zagreb is seeking a new operator for the Jakuševec landfill site after initiating a public tender with a value of 50 million euros excluding VAT. The current management of construction, maintenance, and operation of the landfill’s sub-systems is carried out by a consortium of four private companies, HIS, Tigra, Eko-Flor Plus, and C.I.A.K., since 2018. A preliminary agreement was signed four years ago, following two earlier contracts under the administration of the late Milan Bandić. The first contract, valued at 196 million kuna (approximately 26 million euros) without VAT, was signed during his tenure. The second, worth 23.5 million euros, was concluded in October 2022. As this contract nears its expiration, the city has launched a new tender titled “Construction, Maintenance, and Management of Subsystems of the Jakuševec Waste Disposal Site,” aiming to appoint a manager for the period from 2026 to 2030. The value of this new tender is double that of the previous one, estimated at 50 million euros without VAT. Interested companies can submit their applications, and the tender documentation outlines all aspects of the work to be performed. The Jakuševec landfill, located within the city limits of Zagreb, serves as a disposal site for both municipal and non-hazardous waste from the city and surrounding areas. It receives approximately 192,000 tons of waste annually. The operators manage not only the waste itself but also complex systems such as drainage and wastewater discharge infrastructure, as well as gas collection systems comprising around 150 gas wells. Additionally, they oversee a power generation facility fueled by biogas and a comprehensive system for managing rainwater runoff. These responsibilities highlight the multifaceted nature of operations at the site, which is considered an active construction site due to the continuous influx of waste, around 350,000 cubic meters per year. Environmental concerns have been growing, with foul odors and disturbing footage contributing to public concern. The issues were exacerbated by the failure to properly manage water retention and drainage systems, which were identified as key factors in triggering landslides in 2023. These incidents resulted in physical injuries to several sanitation workers and substantial material damage to the landfill. The ongoing accumulation of waste means the site continues to function as a dynamic construction area, requiring constant attention and oversight. The Jakuševec-Prudinec landfill covers an area that will eventually accommodate approximately 54 hectares of waste once the site is fully utilized. Its planned dimensions include a maximum length of about 1,365 meters and a width of roughly 390 meters, according to the tender documentation. This information underscores the scale of the project and the extensive scope of work required. The new operator must be available continuously, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to ensure uninterrupted construction, maintenance, and management activities in compliance with legal requirements. This includes ensuring the safety of workers and nearby residents, given the presence of hazardous zones on-site and the need for round-the-clock operational support. Currently, the four private companies operating the site are well-known entities. Eko-Flor Plus is part of the C.I.O.S. group and is currently the largest domestic private company specializing in waste management services. Their continued involvement highlights the established relationship between the city and these firms, though the upcoming tender signals a shift toward potential changes in management. The outcome of this tender could significantly impact the future operations and environmental performance of the Jakuševec landfill.