Kosovo’s capital Pristina declares state of emergency due to waste management crisis
Due to waste management issues in Pristina, Kosovo, some neighborhoods have overflowing trash bins, and many trash cans are not emptied for days (AA Photo)
The capital of Kosovo, Pristina, has declared a state of emergency in response to a severe waste management crisis. The city’s sole waste collection provider, the regional public company “Pastrimi,” has failed to manage the increasing waste accumulation, prompting immediate intervention.
elated]
Details:
- Perparim Rama, the Mayor of Pristina, stated that Pastrimi lacks the necessary capacity to handle waste management effectively in the city. He emphasized that the state of emergency would be utilized to involve private companies in addressing the issue.
- Municipal inspections have identified a significant risk of a public health crisis due to uncollected waste, with overflowing bins and unemptied containers being observed in several neighborhoods. The situation is described as alarming.
This is not the first occurrence of such a crisis. In 2024, Pristina faced similar challenges, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency and the involvement of private firms in waste management efforts. A municipal regulation passed in 2024 granted Pastrimi exclusive rights to waste collection, a decision that has since faced criticism.
In defense of Pastrimi’s performance, Petrit Recica, the company’s CEO, responded on social media, asserting that despite the ongoing challenges, the company remains committed to working continuously to resolve the situation and restore cleanliness to Pristina.
