Croatia below EU average in plastic waste but still short of recycling targets

July is dedicated to raising awareness about reducing plastic waste. 

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), plastic now accounts for 95 percent of all waste floating in the world's seas and oceans.

Andrea Čović Vidović, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia and Head of its Media Team, said the average person in the European Union generates around 150 kilograms of plastic waste each year.

"Croatia is performing relatively well. We generate 81 kilograms of plastic waste per person annually, with only Bulgaria producing less per capita. Even so, this is still a huge amount of waste. At the European level, we have concluded that it is neither possible nor sustainable to continue as we have until now," Čović Vidović said.

Sanja Radović, Head of the Sustainable Waste Management Sector at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, said around 400,000 tonnes of plastic are produced in Croatia every year.

"We are trying to recycle as much as possible. We are following EU policies and have adopted several new regulations," she said.

Separate waste collection and recycling rates are continuing to improve, but Croatia has yet to meet its targets.

"We are currently recycling 33 percent of municipal waste, well below the target of 55 percent. Intensive efforts are underway, and we are working to raise public awareness," Radović said.