Environmental Protection Ministry says 650 tons will be removed from Gospić within 45 days

Earlier this past week Government decided to ship some 650 tons of non-toxic waste from the illegal landfill in Gospić to two Croatian cement plants. The Holcim and Nexe companies will use the waste as fuel in the production of cement. Government opted for this course of action after the Tabak Group withdrew its bid for the remediation of the waste and the Environmental Protection Fund canceled the public tender.

On Saturday the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition issued a statement in which it rejected claims by the opposition SDP that the two cement companies hired to remove and dispose of 650 tons of waste from an illegal dumpsite in Gospić lack the necessary permits. The material in question is the non-toxic portion of some 33,000 tons of waste at the site.

Excerpt from a statement issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition:

"The Government of the Republic of Croatia has clearly stipulated that approximately 650 tons of non-hazardous waste contained in 'big bag' sacks will be disposed of exclusively in accordance with valid waste management and environmental permits, and all other legally prescribed conditions. These companies have been conducting energy recovery with suitable types of waste within the cement industry as a substitute fuel for years. The waste must be removed from the site within 45 days, in full compliance with all regulations and the highest environmental protection standards."

On Friday SDP leader Siniša Hajdaš Dončić called out the government plan, questioning whether Holcim or Nexe had the permits or experience required to handle such a job. Hajdaš Dončić also questioned how citizens could be sure that the 650 tons of surface waste being from the illegal landfill in Gospić was not toxic.

The 650 tons in question does not address the 33 thousand tons of toxic waste that is buried at the site, and Environmental Protection and Green Transition Minister Marija Vučković has already admitted that she cannot promise that the buried toxic waste in Gospić can be removed and properly stored within the three month deadline demanded by protesters at last Saturday’s rally in Zagreb.

Source: HRT