Kosovo: Plastic Recycling Program

Country: Kosovo
Topic: Climate/Environment

Waste management is one of Kosovo's most significant environmental problems — recycling will help minimize the impact. Photo: Mercy Corps Kosovo

In times of conflict and war, waste management is never a priority. The immediate aftermath of the Kosovo war left the country's waste management services in utter chaos. Large quantities of waste material were being disposed of at uncontrolled dumpsites — usually riverbeds and ravines. Decomposing and toxic material entered into local water bodies and systems, causing significant environmental damage.

Nearly a decade after the war ended, improved waste management systems are in place and are being regulated by local and national authorities. There is even some waste recovery and recycling underway. However, there are currently no facilities for the collection and treatment of plastic waste. Since most plastics — including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) — do not biodegrade, this results in a growing problem for landfills and other waste facilities.

Recovery of discarded plastic waste allows a non-renewable resource to be conserved, while reducing the pressure on landfills. A further benefit is the saving of some of the energy — and carbon emissions — of plastic manufacturing and processing.

How we can help

Your donation will make a difference.

Mercy Corps was approached by national authorities and Plastika — a plastics recycling company that currently sources plastic from individual garbage collectors — to help set up effective plastic recovery collection points at an initial three landfill sites. The goal of this collaboration is to classify and press plastic waste, demonstrating that this can be carried out on a cost effective basis, reduce contamination and create employment opportunities.

The three proposed landfill sites are:

• Besiane/Podujevo
• Fushe Kosova/ Kosovo Polje
• Vushtrri/ Vucitern

The budget for this project is $22,000. To date, supporters have donated $240 to the fund.

You can click here to support this project through a donation to our Climate Change fund.

How your investment will be used

Two Plastika employees will be hired to oversee operations at each site. One will manage the pressing machine while the other will classify plastic waste. The recycled plastic will provide a source of plastic sheets for agriculture and reconstruction purposes.

Both workers at each site will be trained in collecting, baling, transporting, cutting, processing, marketing and selling recycled plastic materials. One additional employee will be hired by Plastika to coordinate activities between the three pilot sites.

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