Skopje toughens measures against illegal dumps: Fines of up to 20,000 euros and imprisonment

Illegal dumps continue to pose a major concern for Skopje’s municipalities, despite increased inspections, fines and ongoing efforts to clean them up. During the past week alone, teams from the Public Enterprise “Communal Hygiene” – Skopje removed 650 cubic metres of bulky waste and construction debris from public areas in all the capital’s municipalities. The largest volume, around 170 cubic metres, was removed from the territory of the Municipality of Čair.

During the same period, 2,700 tonnes of municipal waste were collected and transported from households and legal entities. Meanwhile, inspectors from the Municipality of Centar inspected 10 construction sites and identified violations of legal obligations. Six fines were imposed in these cases, each worth 1,300 euros. Unauthorised barriers and posts were also removed from public areas.

Measures were also taken in Kisela Voda, where one person was penalised after dumping construction waste near containers. In Shuto Orizari, police sanctioned a 22-year-old for improperly disposing of bulky waste. Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski announced that a procedure is under way to install cameras in public areas, with the aim of more quickly identifying and penalising those responsible for illegally dumping waste.

The appearance of rats near the Bunjakovec Shopping Centre prompted the Municipality of Centar to announce a new emergency deratisation operation, just one month after the previous intervention. The process will be carried out in manholes, around container areas and in places where the presence of rodents has been reported.

Authorities estimate that deratisation alone will not solve the problem. According to them, the failure to empty containers on time and poor waste management create suitable conditions for rats to multiply and appear.

The law provides for severe measures against legal entities that illegally dump construction waste, with fines that can reach up to 20,000 euros. In May, during an inspection in Dolno Lisice, a truck was found illegally depositing construction waste and was fined 20,000 euros.

When pollution is more serious and endangers the environment or citizens’ health, offenders may also face prison sentences. In the case of Vardarište, the court sentenced the defendants to three years in prison.

In European countries, penalties for illegally dumping waste range from several hundred to several thousand euros. In certain situations, measures may also include the confiscation of vehicles and an obligation to pay the costs of clean-up. (koha.mk)