Minister of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning Oliver Dulic said yesterday that Serbia has made significant progress when it comes to the recycling of certain types of waste.
Speaking at the second annual conference “Green Serbia – Recycling Industry, the Chance for the Future”, Dulic stressed that the area of “green economy” and renewable energy, recycling and waste management has recorded progress in times of crisis.
He said that the plan is to employ 10,000 people in this field by the end of the present government’s mandate.
He stated that the subsidies have been paid to all operators who obtained licenses to collect, transport and process electronic and electrical waste, storage batteries and other types of waste.
In 2010, 4,000 tonnes of waste was processed, Dulic specified, noting that there is capacity for 10 times greater recycling industry.
The Minister said that a better organisation of waste collection is need and stated that as part of the “Cleaner Serbia” campaign, tens of thousands of containers and cans were provided, but that this is not enough.
Speaking about the pollution of the Juzna Morava River, Dulic said that the situation is similar along almost the entire course of the Morava and pointed out that local governments would have to set aside more money for trash collection.
He said that 50% of Serbia is covered by organised waste collection and underlined that it is necessary to raise citizens’ awareness of proper waste disposal.
Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia Vincent Degert said that the growth of world population created pressure on natural resources and added that every citizen of EU countries puts away a half a tonne of household waste every year.
Apart from households, waste is generated in industry, construction and other areas. Every year three tonnes of waste are made in the EU, Degert said.
He pointed out that it is necessary to put in place a good waste management system and added that Serbia has made great progress when it comes to the legislative framework for the ecology.
Speaking about the recycling industry, Degert said that this is a branch of the future and that the EU employs 500,000 people in this area.
The conference also looked at wastewaters, investments and expenses for the ecology and the role of the Serbian Fund for Environmental Protection.
Source balkans.com
