Of the total amount of waste collected in Montenegrin municipalities in 2013, 37 percent was organic and green waste, and kitchen, garden and green waste represented a third of the waste produced by one household.
That type of waste, primarily through composting, could, as was assessed at today's discussion on the topic "Sustainable management of green waste - composting", bring financial, but also ecological and social benefits.
"Composting is nothing new. We are essentially just imitating nature, and it represents the oldest, most natural way of recycling waste, through the natural process of decomposition, which was applied even in ancient times. Compost increases the fertility of the soil, can be used as a fertilizer, ensures humidity, reduces the amount of organic matter in landfills," said Ljilja Radunović from the "Delfin" Eco Center, which together with the OSCE is implementing the project of the same name in Montenegro.
She stated that composting is also good financially, because it reduces the costs of collection and removal, maintenance of public areas for utility companies, and the price of compost on the Montenegrin market is from 110 to 130 euros per ton.
"In the social sense, the quality of life of citizens is directly and indirectly affected, the environment is positively affected, and there is an increase in employment, because each plant on a territory of 2,5 hectares employs 30 people", said Radunović.
She stated that Tivat invested 800.000 euros two years ago for the purchase of compost for the revitalization of the main city park and that a few more sites are planned.
"For plant and animal disease control, all organic farmers use compost instead of pesticides. Research has shown that compost stops plant diseases, the spread of pests, and has applications in erosion control, afforestation and wetland rehabilitation," said Radunović.
Lia Manjogunjo from the OSCE reminded that the project was implemented from April to December 2014, which included coastal municipalities, utility companies and schools, and announced that in the same period this year, the project will be implemented in the municipalities of the central and northern regions.
Alberto Kamarata from the EU Delegation stated that each of us does not throw away waste every day, but money.
"What we call waste is only raw material that we are not yet able to reuse in most cases. The average waste produced is huge, in the EU it is six tons per person per year. The EU approach is therefore based on three pillars: reduction, reuse and recycling. When it comes to recycling, the situation in EU countries varies from country to country. On average, 42 percent of waste is recycled, and in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium, composting and recycling exceeds 50 percent," Kamarata said.
Advisor at the Waste Management Directorate, Milena Marković, said that the State Waste Plan, which is under public discussion, foresees the reduction of biodegradable waste in landfills, as well as the definition of composting centers.
"The area of waste management is not regulated at an appropriate level. This must be arranged because it is connected to many economic branches, primarily tourism. Budget revenues in tourism are now around 700 million euros, and in the next seven to eight years, the plan is for them to reach two billion euros. If the situation with waste is regulated at this level, those revenues can be halved", said Marković.
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