Skopje removes 650 m³ but illegal dumps keep returning

Skopje continues to struggle with uncontrolled waste despite stepped-up inspections, fines and cleanup drives: municipal teams removed hundreds of cubic metres of bulky and construction debris in recent days, yet illegal dumps keep reappearing and residents are reporting rats near the Bunjakovec shopping centre.

City enterprise JP Komunalna Higiena - Skopje says that during the past week its crews cleared 650 cubic metres of improperly disposed bulky and construction waste from public and traffic areas across all city municipalities. The largest single haul — about 170 cubic metres — was removed in the Municipality of Cair.

In the same period the enterprise reports that 2,700 tonnes of municipal waste from households and legal entities were collected and transported across the capital. Teams also conduct daily mechanical washing and sweeping of boulevards, squares, bridges, sidewalks and the Old Bazaar in three shifts, the company adds.

Inspections, fines and new surveillance

Municipal inspectors in the Municipality of Centar visited ten active construction sites last week and issued six fines of €1,300 each for serious breaches of legal obligations. Inspectors also removed illegally placed blockers and bollards from public areas.

"Inspections are on the ground. In addition to regular supervision, we carry out extraordinary checks to protect the environment, prevent pollution and maintain public cleanliness. We will not tolerate violations of public space," said Goran Gerasimovski, mayor of the Municipality of Centar.

Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski confirmed that a person was fined after being caught dumping construction debris and bulky waste in Kisela Voda near containers, creating another illegal landfill. Gjorgjievski said on Facebook: "While our teams work day and night for a cleaner city, individuals destroy the results and pollute the surroundings. There is no tolerance for such acts. Zero tolerance for anyone who turns public spaces into dumps and endangers citizens' health." He added that procedures are underway to install cameras on public areas to speed up detection and punishment of those who dispose of waste improperly.

Police actions have also led to penalties: a 22-year-old was fined for illegal dumping of bulky waste in Shuto Orizari, and a woman was fined recently after being filmed throwing waste into the Lepenec river.

Residents on social networks are increasingly vocal: many say the city looks like an uncontrolled landfill and argue that occasional cleanup actions and fines are not enough. They demand more containers where needed, new collection vehicles, designated sites for bulky and construction waste and full removal of existing illegal dumps.

Authorities warn that irregular emptying of containers and improper disposal create conditions for rodents. Following social media posts showing rats and mice near the TC "Bunjakovec" centre, the Municipality of Centar announced an extraordinary deratization that will cover shafts, areas around containers and other reported locations. Officials note that deratization alone is insufficient without systemic improvements to waste management.

Penalties for creating illegal dumps in North Macedonia range from substantial fines to prison terms for the most severe cases. Legal entities can face fines up to €20,000 (in denar equivalent) for illegal dumping of construction waste; in May this year a truck was fined €20,000 following an extraordinary inspection in Dolno Lisiche. For aggravated pollution cases that endanger health and the environment, courts have handed prison sentences, including a three-year term in the Vardarishte case.

Photo: press material from the event