Towards a Plastic-Free Future: Empowering Local Action in Croatia, Serbia, and North Macedonia
23, August 2024
In the face of escalating environmental challenges, the adoption and implementation of green policies are not just desirable but essential for countries like Croatia, Serbia, and North Macedonia. These nations are grappling with environmental issues such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, although concrete problems vary from country to country. Green policies are vital for preserving natural resources, promoting economic growth, enhancing public health, and improving the overall quality of life. We wish to highlight the critical role of local-level green policies in addressing environmental issues and advancing sustainable development in these countries, more specifically through tackling the use of single-use plastics.
Croatia as a Frontrunner
Croatia, Serbia and North Macedonia are countries rich in natural beauty and biodiversity, spanning various different natural regions from Croatia’s Adriatic coastline to the vast mountain ranges of Serbia and North Macedonia. Since Croatia is an EU member state, its experience can be used in applying environmental standards in Serbia and North Macedonia. Although a frontrunner in environmental protection among the three countries, Croatia faces significant environmental challenges of its own. Common regional environmental concerns include air pollution, water pollution, deforestation and land degradation: Illegal logging, forest fires, and unsustainable agriculture lead to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and increased flood risks.
Serbia
Serbia faces significant environmental challenges due to insufficient investment in ecological projects. Key issues include severe air pollution, low wastewater treatment rates (under 15%), poor waste management with minimal recycling, and soil degradation. Despite these problems, Serbia boasts a rich natural heritage, with over 662,000 hectares of protected areas, including two UNESCO biosphere reserves and five national parks.
Thermal power plants are major polluters, with air quality dangerously low in many areas, especially in Belgrade. Only about 20% of municipal waste is collected in sanitary landfills, with most waste ending up in illegal dumps. The recycling rate is low, around 15%, with household recycling under 2%. Industrial and municipal wastewater, as well as polluted drinking water, pose significant threats due to inadequate purification systems, and Serbia’s water management practices do not meet EU standards.
Importantly, nearly all Serbian citizens (99.7%) are aware of the environmental and health risks posed by single-use plastics. There is widespread support for solutions such as a deposit return system, taxing non-recyclable plastics, and enforcing stricter penalties for violations. Surveys show that there is a strong backing for measures to phase out plastic bags. However, recycling alone isn’t sufficient; a broader shift towards reducing plastic use and improving waste management is essential. Serbia struggles with plastic waste due to outdated laws, poor enforcement, and low public awareness. Although some laws align with EU standards, effective plastic waste management remains challenging. The recent Roadmap for Circular Economy offers promise by encouraging sustainable practices, but significant effort is needed to achieve environmental goals and improve plastic recycling rates.
Recent nationwide protests have raised concerns about lithium mining in the Jadar Valley, which many fear could cause irreversible environmental damage. The stated awareness of the public on the negative effects of plastic to the environment, combined with hightened vigilance on environmental issues due to the political climate of the country provide an adequate opportunity for action.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia, known for its natural beauty and diverse ecosystems, faces significant ecological challenges. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, and inadequate environmental regulations have led to severe air and water pollution, deforestation, improper waste management, and biodiversity loss.
Air pollution is a major issue, especially in urban areas like Skopje, Tetovo, and Bitola. Industrial emissions, domestic heating with wood and coal, and vehicle emissions contribute to air quality that often exceeds safe limits by more than four times during winter. Water pollution is also a concern, with the Vardar River heavily contaminated by untreated industrial and domestic wastewater, along with agricultural runoff and untreated sewage, affecting groundwater resources.
Deforestation, driven by illegal logging and forest fires, results in the loss of approximately 1,000 hectares of forest annually, leading to soil erosion and biodiversity loss. Waste management is inadequate, with over 90% of municipal solid waste improperly disposed of and minimal recycling. This has led to numerous illegal dumping sites, posing significant environmental and health risks.
Climate change is causing more frequent and severe weather events, such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, impacting agriculture, water resources, and ecological stability. Addressing these issues requires a coordinated effort from the government, industry, civil society, and the public to implement sustainable practices, enforce regulations, and raise environmental awareness.
Ban of Single-Use Plastics
To address the environmental impact of single-use plastics, a phased approach is recommended, starting with public awareness and educational programs, then developing and implementing policies, and finally focusing on enforcement and monitoring. Successful examples from Croatian cities like Dubrovnik, Zagreb, and Rovinj can serve as models.
Economic measures include introducing subsidies and tax incentives for businesses that adopt green practices or invest in sustainable packaging, as well as grants for developing alternatives to single-use plastics. These incentives aim to promote environmental sustainability and stimulate economic growth.
Legally, strengthening local legislation to enforce the plastic ban and establishing Green Councils for overseeing policy implementation are essential. Harmonizing regulations across municipalities can improve policy effectiveness through coordinated efforts.
Socially, raising public awareness, integrating sustainability into school programs, and engaging communities through events are important for fostering a cultural shift towards sustainability and building support for green initiatives.
Authors: Mila Mladenova, Aleksandar Karatosho, Danijel Bačan, Stipe Lozina, Filip Grbić
