ZAGREB, 1 July 2021 - The Green Action NGO on Thursday called on the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development to adopt ambitious measures as part of the new waste management bill and set the right example in combating plastic pollution.

"Croatia can be a leader among EU member states in abandoning single-use plastics and the waste culture. Now we finally have a chance to start promoting a reuse system as a solution to single-use plastic pollution," Green Action's Ana-Marija Mileusnić said as part of the "Plastic-Free July" campaign.

She said that the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development was "very inert and passive" in drawing up the new waste management bill.

"Despite repeated calls for action, we are still late in meeting the initial deadlines, which will not bring about any major change other than banning the marketing of certain products," Mileusnić said.

The Single-Use Plastic Directive says that replacement of single-use plastic products with other disposable products should be prevented, so specific provisions should be laid down to promote the development of a reuse system, she added.

In order for the system to be effective, economic incentives supporting reuse should be provided, such as taxation and effective differences in fees for multiple-use packaging. "In addition to policy- and decision-makers, we also need the support of the public at large because it is people that make the system, and already now they can contribute to positive change," Mileusnić said.

For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

Zlarin aims to put the environment first!

September 17, 2018 — It was supposed to be a relatively harmless study. Select a 100-meter stretch of shoreline, clean it up and document the various items found.

The early results suggest a problem far grander than plastic bottle caps and grocery bags.

Hardcore eco-warrior or just concerned about the rising problem of plastic pollution in the sea? Either way, the beautiful island of Cres is the place to be this weekend.

June 12, 2018 — Croatia's vaunted Adriatic Sea may soon join the ranks of the world's oceans — a plastic-filled, hot mess — if things don't change soon.

The commendable volunteer programme aiming to clean up an astonishing Croatian natural gem doubles as a free vacation. Sounds good?

Green Action (Zelena Akcija) has welcomed the adoption of the first European plastic strategy in its statement.

On Friday 29^th September 2017, crew aboard a charter yacht, along with their guests, cleaned 10 large rubbish bags of plastic from the shore of Lastovo. How does this happen and who is accountable?

The Guardian reports that “sea salt around the world has been contaminated by plastic pollution, adding to experts’ fears that microplastics are becoming ubiquitous in the environment and finding their way into the food chain via the salt in our diets.”

Plastic pollution is a worldwide issue, but it seems this is a topic that has still escaped the media in Croatia.