Skopje issues over €80,000 in fines as illegal dumps remain widespread
Authorities say more than €80,000 in fines were issued while a mass clean‑up of roughly 30,000 people and new measures aim to curb illegal dumping.
Skopje authorities say they have issued fines totalling more than €80,000 in recent months as the city continues to battle illegal dumping of construction debris and bulky waste.
The government-led clean-up push also included a large volunteer operation: officials estimate about 30,000 citizens took part in what they called the largest eco-action to date, joining mayors, members of the diplomatic corps, public figures and volunteers to clear streets and public spaces.
Mayor Orce Gjorgievski highlighted the enforcement effort and again urged responsible behaviour from residents. He said that companies and individuals who improperly dispose of waste have been sanctioned and that the city is preparing additional measures to deter repeat offenders.
New measures: cameras, free weekly bulky-waste collection, municipal police
City hall announced plans to install cameras in public areas to speed identification and sanctioning of those who dump waste illegally, and proposed weekly free drop-off of bulky waste at the Drisla landfill for all Skopje residents. The mayor argued that a municipal police force is needed and said the city is waiting for the Law on Local Self-Government to be adopted by the Assembly.
Authorities also reminded citizens that throwing household waste into containers is prohibited between 22:00 and 06:00. Officials said fines must be sufficiently high to deter offenders and stressed that a small minority of careless residents and companies is responsible for much of the problem.
Municipal crews and the public enterprise Komunalna Higiena – Skopje reported removing 650 cubic metres of improperly disposed bulky and construction waste from public and traffic areas last week; about 170 cubic metres were cleared in Čair municipality alone. Local inspections led to sanctions in Kisela Voda and Shuto Orizari, and the Centre municipality announced an additional deratization near TC Bunjakovec after residents reported rats.
Photo: press material from the event
