Herceg Novi , Montenegro - January 2006 — The economy of Herceg Novi, a picturesque coastal town on the border of Montenegro and Croatia, is primarily based on tourism. The impression that the beautiful beaches and breathtaking Adriatic scenery leaves on tourists, has, however, often been impaired by the inadequate disposal of garbage generated by tourists in the summer months.  The majority of towns in Montenegro face similar problems, but none of them has yet begun selective waste disposal, essential for reducing the amount of solid waste through recycling.

To respond to this problem, the Public Utilities Company “Čistoća” from Herceg Novi approached IRD, USAID’s implementing partner in Southern Montenegro, with a request to financially support efforts to initiate a system of selective waste disposal in the municipality. Čistoća partnered with the Municipality of Herceg Novi, and together they constructed the sites for placing the bins and provided the majority of equipment for primary collection and selection of secondary raw materials for recycling. Through IRD, USAID funded the procurement of over 280 dustbins for separate disposal of paper, glass and plastic distributed throughout the town, as well as additional equipment.

Selective waste disposal is new to Southern Montenegro. The success of the entire process depends on their participation in the proper selection of waste; educating the public on the need to recycle is an essential part of the process. To that end, Čistoća distributes leaflets to the general public to raise awareness of the need to protect the environment, gives regular media reports and, perhaps most important of all, promotes in the inclusion of the environmental issues into the curriculum of schools in Herceg Novi.

“Although the awareness campaign has only lasted for a couple of months now, already 95 % of the solid waste that comes to our recycling station is disposed of using the correct bins,” said Borivoje Bonić, director of Čistoća in Herceg Novi. “This allows us to prepare the raw materials for further recycling using a straightforward process. It also indicates a surprisingly high level of education, awareness and cooperation of both citizens and tourists at an early stage in the learning process.”

The bins and public education program are only the beginning of a five-year plan to reduce the solid waste in this municipality by 30 percent and at the same time, to create jobs and generate incomes from the sale of the secondary raw materials. According to the projected financial effects, in three years it is expected that over 2,000 tons of material suitable for recycling will be collected per year, with an annual revenue of over €100,000. The true value of the process, however, cannot be measured by figures. It is its direct contribution to the benefit of the environment and future generations.