The SAD story of Illegal Waste Dumping in Bosnia
What Should, Could, Be Done to stop this habit.
Beautiful Bosnia and Herzegovina
I live in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe (if not THE most beautiful).
Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a dream come true, for those interested in Slow Tourism, Extreme Sports, Gastro Tourism or those that simply want to explore a country that is “off the beaten path”.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is getting known more and more with each passing year.
When people ask me about visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, I always suggest that they take the routes least known, stop at villages away from the main towns and cities (where you get to see and experience the culture in such a special way), and stay with local families wherever possible.
This way you get to see things that tourist guide books, and even YouTube videos can’t show you.
However, for me as a staunch advocate for this country, there’s a sad downside.
There’s alway a downside isn’t there?
There is no one country on earth that is perfect. That’s a fact.
My adopted home is certainly not perfect. It is after all dysfunctional. A country in “transition” for the past nearly 30 years. Why that is? I have my own views, and as this is non political blog, its not getting discussed here.
Visitors won’t be exposed to, or even realise, the greater percentage of this dysfunctionality, during their visit.
Sadly what they might come across, and that might taint or clout there experience of the country is the undying habit of fly-tipping (illegal dumping of household waste).
Illegal waste dumping is an issue here in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
July 2022 ⬆️
Waste that should've been recycled or treated properly - is often dumped or burned in open fields - creating a health and environmental risk.
And it's killing natural habitats by polluting the water and air around them.
It also gives both tourists and guests a totally negative view of the country.
These sort of impressions stick in the mind.
Rather than remember visiting the last jungle in Europe (yes, it is in Bosnia and Herzegovina), they might remember the stinking dump of waste on the banks of a beautiful river.
What can be done to encourage and enhance the local population to embrace proper recycling?
I put this to followers on our Instagram and YouTube channels.
“Pansofia” Something definitely has to be done. Around my building children are throwing ice cream packages, actually everything they eat and play with 😳
“Dario Debeljak” 10,000 euros and 1 year in jail and this would not happen anymore :)
“Aleksandar Krunić” To je jedno od djela glupih ljudi koji žive u BiH. I ima ih prilično dosta - This is one of the actions of stupid people living in Bosnia and Herzegovina. And there are quite a few of them.
“Marko Svraka” In my village of Luzani the county send once a week a garbage truck to pick up trash which has stopped dumping for the most part. Maybe a villages should have a central mini dump far away?? But that has its pros and cons as well.
“Azra” Information, jingles about caring of environment on TV, radio stations etc.
“Graham” Make legit dumping sites more available - we all have rubbish to get rid of.
The Experience on my Doorstep.
Winter in 2011 ⬆️
Autumn 2013 ⬆️
And Finally
What initiatives have you been exposed to, or think might work, for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Would you be put off visiting a country again, if you came across “Fly Tipping” (illegal waste dumping)?
As a child in the United States (revealing my age here!), the no littering laws were established. Stiff fines for littering that were enforced--enough so that I remember it. I think it took decades for it to really sink in and become habit. I think everything in a child's environment needs to reinforce the automatic reaction to even the thought of littering--talking about it in school, signs everywhere, TV, etc such that it becomes a visible part of the culture. I remember it was a big campaign. Not having this habit established doesn't mean the people are bad or even backward, it just means that the government hasn't yet dedicated the funds and means to impress it on the minds of the people so that habits are changed.