Thousands Protest in Croatia Over Illegal Toxic Waste

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, to protest against the government’s handling of illegal toxic waste. The large demonstration highlighted growing public anger over reports that dangerous materials are being stored in the country without proper safety measures. Many protesters carried signs with messages such as "ecocide equals slow genocide" and "halt waste import," demanding that the government take immediate steps to protect the environment and public health.

At the center of the controversy is a landfill near the town of Gospic, located about 200 kilometers southwest of Zagreb. According to reports, this site has been used to store toxic waste brought in from several other countries, including Germany, Italy, and Slovenia. The protesters are demanding that all illegal landfills be cleaned up immediately. They have also asked the government to create a new national waste management plan within 20 days and to place a temporary ban on all waste imports until the situation is under control.

This issue has been under investigation for some time. Deutsche Welle (DW) reports that an official investigation began following the arrests of 13 people in February 2025. Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency, is working with Croatian authorities to look into the activities of four companies suspected of being involved in the illegal dumping. According to Europol, the suspects allegedly made about 4 million euros by falsely declaring toxic materials as plastic waste suitable for recycling. The agency noted that the waste includes both plastic refuse and dangerous hospital waste.

There is some disagreement regarding the scale of the problem. While official reports mention 35,000 tons of waste, local environmental activists argue that the amount is actually higher. These activists claim that 37,000 tons of waste have been illegally dumped in the Gospic area alone. The impact on the local environment is already becoming clear. In August, prosecutors published a report confirming that the soil in Gospic is contaminated. The report warned that this pollution has spread beyond the original site, creating a significant risk for the environment and for the health of local people. However, health authorities have stated that, so far, the drinking water in Gospic remains safe and unaffected by the contamination.

In response to the growing pressure, the Croatian government has promised action. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has pledged that the toxic waste site in Gospic will be covered by mid-October. This is intended to be a temporary measure to keep the waste contained until it can be fully removed from the area. Despite this promise, many citizens remain skeptical and are continuing to push for stronger, long-term solutions to prevent similar problems in the future.

The situation remains a serious concern for many Croatians who fear the long-term effects of living near such hazardous materials. As the investigation continues, the government faces the difficult task of balancing international waste management rules with the urgent need to ensure the safety of its own citizens. The large turnout at the protest in Zagreb shows that the public is no longer willing to wait for slow changes. For now, the people of Gospic and the rest of the country are watching closely to see if the government will meet its October deadline and take the necessary steps to clean up the environment.