Тhe problem with the landfills is deep and there is a need for a long-term solution

“Landfills – where and when”, was the topic of the regional forum held today in Tetovo, with a participation of mayors and civil society organizations’ representatives, as well as state institutions’ representatives. The forum was organized by the Civica Mobilitas program.

At the forum, a broad debate about the great problem with the waste management, its selection and processing, great number of dump site, as well as the need for regional landfills, faced by the citizens from the Polog and Southeastern planning region in Macedonia was developed.

According to the representatives of the municipalities, they cannot do much independently to find a long-term solution for the problem with the landfills. Teuta Arifi, mayor of the municipality of Tetovo, stated that they have talked with the Government to undertake more responsibilities to solve this problem, because the municipalities cannot do much individually in regard to this issue. “The problem with the waste in Macedonia can be solved by opening of three landfills which will service the whole country”, she said. Or, according to Arifi, the greater number of landfills would “break down” the amount of waste which is of key importance for the cost-efficiency of the investment of any company.

The mayor of the municipality of Jegunovce, Darko Blazevski, also shared the view that none of the municipalities could manage the waste on its own. “There is a need for regional cooperation and engagement of the central authorities”, he said.

“A regional solution to deal with the waste is the best and the most cost-efficient”, added Ana Karanfilovska from the Ministry of Environment. Her point of view is that the Government could help to find solutions, as well as funds, but the waste management is a responsibility of the municipalities. However, according to Karanfilovska, the waste management costs should be paid by the citizens.

Fatmir Saiti said that the Center for Development of the Polog planning region, where he is a director, established the Regional Council in regard to this issue, as well as a technical group which supports the activation and functioning of this Council. Arianit Dxaferi from Eco Guerilla stressed that the politicians did not do much to solve the problem of the landfills. “I think that in addition to the necessity to educate the citizens, we should also educate the politicians.”

Filip Ivanovski from Pakomak also participated at the forum. “I hope that there will be a political will to solve the problem. Not always the money is the problem. If there is a political will, money is also found. The political will of the mayors is determining”, he said. Ivanovski stressed that the negligent behavior with the waste comes back to tables of the citizens, through their food.

After the remarks of the participants, there was a debate, regarding the extent to which politicians work on this case, as well as specific solutions to the waste management problem.