Expansion of Duboko landfill in Uzice stops

Due to the citizens’ protests and the blocking of the disposal of waste at the Duboko landfill, as well as the decision of the local self-government to close this landfill, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has abandoned the project of its expansion and modernization. This was announced yesterday after, according to the announcement, the continuous dissatisfaction of the citizens gathered in various associations had turned into a physical altercation and the local self-government had decided to close the landfill.

– The Ministry of Environmental Protection is ready to abandon the capital project of the expansion and modernization of the regional landfill Duboko in Uzice, after the local self-government decided to close the landfill – stated the deputy prime minister and minister of environmental protection, Irena Vujovic.

Vujovic said that the realization of that project would secure waste management in line with the most modern standards for over 300,000 citizens. However, due to the continuous dissatisfaction of the citizens gathered in various associations, which turned into a physical altercation yesterday, the realization of the project will be stopped.

– The state has secured over EUR 30 million for the regional center Duboko in Uzice, but seeing how there is no consent of the founders of the regional center – the nine towns and municipalities which gravitate toward it, or the citizens, the Ministry will abandon the project. We are ready to support their decision, although the planned investment would have solved the problem of inadequate waste disposal for the nine local self-governments for at least 20 years. The reserved funds have not yet been allocated and, in the coming period, we will adopt the decision on redirecting them to the construction of the most modern green infrastructure in some other region in Serbia. All regions need this kind of an investment, and it will be realized in a place where there is consent from the local self-governments and the citizens’ will – said Vujovic.

According to its own decision, the City of Uzice will dispose of waste from its territory at the regional sanitary landfill in Lapovo. Vujovic pointed out that, due to the stopping of the project of the expansion, stabilization and modernization of the Regional Center Duboko, all the local self-governments that are founders of that region – Arilje, Bajina Basta, Kosjeric, Pozega, Cajetina, Cacak, Ivanjica and Lucani, would also be obliged to secure an alternative sanitary location for waste disposal.

– The Ministry will support every decision of the Regional Center Duboko, formed back in 2005, if that decision is responsible toward the citizens. We will absolutely not tolerate the creation of new unsanitary landfills in their territories, but only responsible waste disposal in line with modern standards in a sanitary location – said Vujovic.

Vlada Republike Srbije

Ministarstvo zaštite životne sredine Republike Srbije

JKP Duboko Užice

Grad Užice

Government of Serbia

Ministry of Environmental Protection

Regional Landfill Duboko

City of Užice

Irena Vujović

expansion of Duboko landfill

modernization of Duboko landfill

stopping of expansion of Duboko landfill

Lapovo landfill