One of the largest environmental protests in Croatian history took place today. Tens of thousands of people participated in a march in the capital's center, organized by the civic initiative 'Gospić is our home'. The protest addresses the issue of an illegal landfill located approximately 200 kilometers south of Zagreb, in the municipality nearest to this unauthorized site.
Investigations revealed that between 2022 and the police operation in February 2025, between 35,000 and 45,000 tons of toxic waste were illegally imported into Croatia. This waste originated from neighboring countries—Slovenia and Italy—and was dumped about 50 kilometers from Plitvice Lakes National Park, in the Lika region.
The company Tipos Resurs was responsible for the import and disposal of this waste. According to local media reports, the company's license for waste management was revoked and subsequently reactivated under unclear circumstances.
In February 2025, a police operation supported by Europol led to the arrest of 13 individuals, including the company owner, accused of illegal waste dumping. The waste was brought into the country under documentation indicating it was 'recyclable raw material,' but subsequent analysis revealed a mixture of crushed and pressed plastic, electronic waste, and medical waste, which contaminated the soil and groundwater.
All this waste remains underground, and it is estimated that complete cleanup will cost over 100 million euros. During today's protest in Zagreb, demonstrators held up signs with inscriptions such as 'Lika will never forget its betrayal' and 'Croatia's lungs fight for breath.'
One woman living just 50 meters from the landfill participated in the demonstration and expressed concerns about potential illness, demanding that Croatian authorities take action. She stated, 'They will not deprive us or our children of the right to life. They will not turn Croatia into Europe's toxic dump,' as reported by the news portal dnevnik.hr, which broadcast the protest live.
Protesters demand that the Government of Croatia, led by conservative Andrej Plenković, present a full environmental restoration plan within the next three weeks. Furthermore, they insist on strengthening the protection of communities affected by environmental problems, developing solutions for waste management issues, and imposing a moratorium on such waste imports.