From waste to resource: how waste can create new value
In a circular economy, waste isn’t seen as the end—but as the beginning of something new. Old paper becomes new packaging, glass bottles are reused, and organic waste is turned into compost for gardens.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are companies that recycle plastic, textiles, and metals, as well as innovative initiatives that turn waste into art, furniture, or new products. Some cities have successful “green cooperatives” that employ people from vulnerable groups through recycling activities.
Recycling saves energy, cuts costs, extends landfill life, and creates green jobs. Every bottle, can, or paper item that gets recycled instead of being dumped is a step towards a more sustainable future.
Through communication and education, CETAP promotes the idea of waste as a resource and connects local actors who already see the opportunity in it. The goal is to foster the recognition of potential in waste and develop value chains that benefit both communities and the environment.
How does waste affect everyday life?
Waste is not just an aesthetic issue. When not managed properly, it becomes a source of pollution, disease, and financial burden. Its negative impact is felt by everyone—whether living in urban or rural areas.
Illegal dumpsites threaten water sources, attract harmful insects and animals, and are often located near residential areas. Improper food waste disposal contributes to methane emissions—a powerful greenhouse gas that drives climate change. E-waste, if not treated properly, contains toxic substances that end up in our soil and water.
A lack of adequate bins and containers, unregulated landfills, and poor public awareness contribute to daily stress, lower quality of life, and sometimes even community conflicts.
That’s why CETAP doesn’t only focus on the technical aspects of waste management but also emphasizes the health and well-being of communities. Through on-site visits and collaboration with local stakeholders, we identify key issues and work on solutions that bring real, tangible improvements.
Discover good waste management practices from the region
In many countries of the region, waste management has become a local priority.
In Ljubljana, Slovenia, 68% of waste is recycled thanks to a clear waste separation system, accessible infrastructure, and strong public education. Utility companies work with schools, NGOs, and residents through initiatives involving recycling, composting, and creative workshops.
Zagreb introduced mandatory household waste separation and a pay-as-you-throw system, significantly reducing the amount of waste going to landfills. In Belgrade, systems for collecting electronic and textile waste are being developed, helping reduce the improper disposal of hazardous waste.
These practices show that successful waste management is achievable with good organization, governmental support, and active citizen participation.
Through studies and cooperation with local partners, CETAP will analyze which of these examples can be adapted to the Bosnian context and offer realistic, applicable solutions tailored to local needs and capacities.
What does “waste management” mean and why does it concern all of us?
Waste management isn’t just the job of utility companies or local authorities. It’s a process that begins in our households, every time we throw away a piece of paper, a plastic bottle, or leftover food.
At its core, waste management includes all activities from the moment waste is created, through collection and transport, to treatment, recycling, or final disposal. A well-established waste management system protects human health, keeps cities clean, and safeguards nature. It also benefits the economy by creating new jobs, saving resources, and reducing public service costs.
In many European countries, waste management is a cornerstone of the circular economy—an economic model where resources are reused, and waste is minimized. Bosnia and Herzegovina has significant potential to improve in this area, particularly in terms of infrastructure, education, and legal frameworks.
The CETAP project focuses on strengthening the capacities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to enhance and align this process with EU standards. Through research, consultations, awareness campaigns, and expert support, we aim to make waste management more efficient, responsible, and sustainable. The project involves local communities, municipalities, public enterprises, educational institutions, and citizens, because we believe that only through joint efforts can we achieve visible change.
CETAP Team Engages Key Institutions in Advancing Environmental and Waste Management Initiatives
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration and ensure practical alignment with current policies and needs in the field of environmental protection and waste management, the CETAP team recently conducted a series of institutional visits across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Meetings were held with representatives of the Environmental Protection Sector of Canton Sarajevo, including Zlata Grabovac and Selma Sokočević, as well as MIBRAL Construction Company, represented by Maja Bralović Smith. The team also engaged with Euro Asfalt, APOSO, and ENOVA, currently leading a UNDP-supported initiative to develop the Federal Waste Management Plan (FPUO).
Additional discussions included visits to Heidelberg Cement Factory, MOFTER (Sanja Grubačić), the Agency for Statistics of B&H (Sevala Korajčević), and representatives from the World Bank Group, namely Esma Kreso and Anrea Muharemović.
Crucial insights were also exchanged with the Cantonal Waste Management Department and Azra Bašić from the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism (FMOIT).
These visits aim to strengthen institutional dialogue and gather expert feedback for the upcoming phases of the CETAP project, contributing to the development of efficient, data-driven, and sustainable waste management practices throughout the country.
Management Challenges and Opportunities for the Development of the E-Waste System in FBiH: Preliminary conclusions from the CETAP Project
The meetings held within the CETAP project with key stakeholders in the field of electrical and electronic waste management in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina revealed that, although the system formally exists and operates, its practical implementation faces a range of challenges. In recent years, basic mechanisms for the organized collection and treatment of this type of waste have been developed, primarily through the activities of system operators and cooperation with municipal companies. However, in practice, both technical and institutional capacities remain insufficient for a fully functional and sustainable system.
The lack of adequate infrastructure, especially in smaller municipalities, makes organized collection and treatment of e-waste difficult. Municipal companies often lack the resources and specialized equipment necessary for proper handling of this type of waste. Furthermore, public awareness of the importance of separate collection and proper disposal of electrical and electronic waste remains low, directly affecting the volumes of waste entering the system.
The need to strengthen the institutional framework, particularly in the area of inspection oversight and enforcement of existing legal obligations, was also identified. Although the legislative framework recognizes the importance of e-waste management, its implementation is often inconsistent, and the capacities of institutions to monitor and control the system are limited. Moreover, better defined and more transparent reporting and data exchange mechanisms between all stakeholders would contribute to the more efficient functioning of the system.
The results of the meetings indicate that key components for improving the situation include: investment in collection and treatment infrastructure, empowering local communities and municipal companies, continuous public education and awareness-raising, and strengthening cooperation between the public, private, and civil sectors. Equally important is the need to encourage innovative approaches and the involvement of social enterprises in the e-waste management sector.
The CETAP project recognizes these challenges and directs its activities towards strengthening the system by integrating all relevant actors, fostering dialogue, and creating sustainable models for the management of electrical and electronic waste in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
CETAP Project: Strengthening the Circular Economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
As part of the CETAP project, key stakeholders across Bosnia and Herzegovina are joining forces to assess the current state of circular economy practices and develop strategic measures for further progress. These meetings aim to create a comprehensive Study that will identify the strengths, challenges, and opportunities in implementing circular economy principles, with a special focus on specific waste categories.
Through a series of meetings and consultations with institutions, companies, and organizations, the CETAP project team is gathering essential insights that will be crucial for developing strategies and plans for the future implementation of circular practices.
Recently, Scott Crossett, the project team leader, and Ion Nae-Musetoiu, the legal expert for the project, visited several key institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to gather information and open discussions about opportunities for improving the circular economy:
-
Bijeljina – BASWA
-
Bijeljina – Association of Municipalities and Cities of Republika Srpska
-
Mostar – Representative of the Environmental Protection Fund
-
Sarajevo – Canton Public Utility Company
These meetings enabled the exchange of experiences and ideas among relevant stakeholders dealing with environmental protection, waste management, and the implementation of green initiatives.
At the same time, Maria Krasteva, an expert on extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, visited additional locations to engage with key stakeholders in the waste management sector:
-
Livno – Canton Public Utility Company
-
Tuzla – Canton Waste Management Sector
-
Travnik – Canton Public Utility Company
-
Ilijaš – CIBOS
-
Zenica – Canton Waste Management Sector
-
Zenica – Zenica Alba Canton Public Utility Company
-
Sarajevo – Canton Public Utility Company
These discussions and consultations play a crucial role in shaping the Study, which will propose concrete actions and scenarios for improving circular economy practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The focus is on implementing sustainable practices that can enhance waste management, reduce environmental impact, and promote circular principles across all sectors of society.
The CETAP project is focused on strengthening the circular economy through separate collection, reuse, and recycling of waste, with goals that include achieving a more sustainable approach to waste management across the country.
The CETAP team continues to work on strengthening sustainable solutions and strategies that will shape a greener and more responsible future for Bosnia and Herzegovina. For more information about the project, follow us on our channels and continue to be part of this important process!
Project Team Visit to Zenica
The project team were in Zenica to meet with the waste management company ALBA who are responsible for the municipal waste management in the city of Zenica. It was a really interesting meeting and it was great to hear the excellent work being done by Alba in the city. They have done some really good work on raising awareness in schools and pre-schools.
It was a pleasure listening to Dr Džafer Dautbegović and his colleague Ms, Mirsada Hasanbašić. We hope to work more closely with the Zenica Canton on the waste management planning component of the project and will welcome the opportunity to have close collaboration with ALBA.
CETAP Project: Steering Committee Meeting Held in Sarajevo
The Steering Committee meeting of the CETAP (Circular Economy and Waste Management Project) project was held on March 12, 2025, in Sarajevo, with the aim of discussing the progress and strategic direction of the project. This key event gathered representatives from leading institutions and organizations to discuss the critical aspects of the project and its effective implementation in line with EU standards and the principles of circular economy.
During the meeting, participants thoroughly reviewed the Draft Progress Report covering the period from November 10, 2024, to February 14, 2025. Discussions focused on current challenges, ongoing activities, and next steps to ensure the continued efficient implementation of the project and the achievement of its planned goals. Special attention was given to improving material recovery from waste through separate collection, reuse, and recycling.
The meeting was attended by representatives from key institutions and organizations:
-
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
Ministry of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of BiH
-
Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction, and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska
-
Government of Brčko District BiH, Department for Communal Affairs – Sub-department for Capital Investments
-
Directorate for European Integration of BiH (observer in the Steering Committee)
-
COWI A/S
-
Umweltbundesamt – Austrian Environment Agency
The CETAP project remains committed to achieving sustainable solutions in waste management, aiming to enhance existing systems through the integration of innovative approaches to circular economy. During this meeting, the Steering Committee members once again reaffirmed their dedication to creating long-term, sustainable solutions that will have a positive impact on environmental protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We thank all Steering Committee members for their valuable contributions to shaping a more sustainable future for our country.
Visit to Banja Luka
It was good to have our mission to the Republika Srpska this month and to meet some of the key project stakeholders from there. It was also lovely to meet our local expert from Banja Luka, Dr Drazenko Bjelic.
We had a really good programme for the week-long visit and this included meetings with the Ministry of Environment where we met Mr Dusko Solomun and Mr Marko Gajic; we also met with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of the Republika Srpska – Mrs Dragana Kokot and Mr Marko Savić. It was really good to hear all the excellent work being done by the Chamber in regard to the Circular Economy Agenda. We had a tour round their excellent conferencing facilities and we look forward to close co-operation with them throughout the CETAP project.
In addition to those meetings we also met with representatives - Aleksandar Bajić and Vladimir Ilić -of the Banja Luka Cistoca who are responsible for municipal waste management in the Banja Luka Municipal area. It was a really helpful meeting and provided us with a detailed insight into the role of the Cistoca in the context of waste management activities and the broader interest in Circular Economy.
We had a similarly fruitful meeting with Mr Ratko Jokić, Director, DE-POT Company who operate the regional landfill of Banja Luka.
We also had an excellent meeting with Mr Zoran Lukač who hosted the meeting at the offices of the Environment Protection Fund in Banja Luka. This was our first opportunity to discuss the project with him and to explain the importance of the role to be played by the Environment Protection Fund particularly in regard to the provision of data and also the proposed hosting of the new Waste Exchange Platform to be developed under the project.
Lastly, while in Banja Luka we managed to meet with Mrs Andela Laketic, EuroBeta who explained the role that EuroBeta play in the only Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme in the Republika Srpska. She explained that the system in the Republika Srpska in terms of the EPR scheme was based on non-hazardous packaging waste only. She was really informative and we learned a lot about the operation of the EPR Scheme in the Republika Srpska.
Before we left the Republika Srpska we had a couple of more meetings to attend, firstly with Boris Malinovic, Director, Promal AB Company. Mr Malinovic informed the team that his company had facilities at Brcko District and also at Bijeljina where their focus was the recycling of paper & packaging waste. They have been doing this as a family business for 15 years now. They manage plastic waste and other packaging waste but are not within the EPR scheme.