Tens of thousands protest illegal landfills in Zagreb
In Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest the government’s actions regarding the illegal storage of toxic waste. The protesters demanded that within 20 days authorities present a plan to clean up illegal landfills, introduce a temporary ban on waste imports, and develop a new nationwide waste management plan, Deutsche Welle English reports.
Protesters’ demands
Participants in the rally hold the authorities responsible for an insufficient response to the problem of illegal landfills. Signs read “ecocide equals slow genocide” and “stop waste imports.” Protesters said that illegal landfills are contaminating groundwater.
Protesters paid particular attention to a landfill near the city of Gospić, about 200 kilometers southwest of Zagreb. It is reportedly used to store toxic waste from several countries, including Germany and Italy.
Investigation into illegal landfills
The investigation into illegal landfills is ongoing following the detention of 13 people in February 2025. Europol is cooperating with Croatian authorities on the case, and four companies are also under investigation.
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According to Europol, most of the approximately 35,000 tonnes of waste came from Italy, as well as Slovenia and Germany. It included plastic waste and toxic hospital waste. Europol said this brought the suspects about €4 million in profit; they may also have forged documents that falsely labeled plastic waste as suitable for recycling.
Local environmental activists disagree with the estimate of the volumes and claim that 37,000 tonnes of waste were illegally dumped in Gospić alone. Prosecutors confirmed soil contamination in August, which, according to their data, had spread beyond the site. The report described this as a significant risk to the environment and human health, although drinking water in Gospić has not been affected so far.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković promised to cover the toxic landfill in Gospić by mid-October before the waste is removed.
