Skopje overwhelmed by garbage as residents say they cannot open windows

Residents across several Skopje neighbourhoods say streets, green areas and even children's playgrounds are littered with overflowing containers and bulky waste, creating persistent odour and health concerns.

In the Chento area people told reporters they have been coping with the situation for around one month and that some play areas are effectively unusable because of nearby piles of rubbish and full bins. They say repeated complaints to the municipal utility have produced little improvement.

Municipal utility and city officials respond

Komunalec says it is aware of the situation and tries to complete its tasks with the resources it has, while stressing that bulky waste falls outside its jurisdiction. The company added that it sometimes collects bulky items "on its own goodwill" but that responsibility for organised bulky-waste removal lies with the municipalities; Komunalec also noted it has equipment capable of clearing bulky waste.

The Mayor of Skopje has pledged that about 3,000 containers will arrive in September and that new garbage trucks will be put into service. On the issue of bulky waste he said the authorities are searching for locations to store and process such material.

For now, residents must wait and hope for cleaner surroundings: they say the problem has persisted for a while despite periodic announcements that it would be solved, and they continue to complain about overflowing containers and an unbearable smell.

Photo: press material from the event