Total waste generation

Serbia remains highly dedicated to achieving EU waste management targets

Total waste generation increased significantly between 2010 and 2020 (see graph). However, Serbia is dedicated to achieving EU waste management targets and complying with all EU directives, especially those regarding the reduction in landfilling. Serbia’s 2022–2031 waste management programme and 2022–2024 waste action plan have been developed and adopted with EU support, particularly from Sweden. While Serbia has closed a few non-compliant landfills, it should continue closures in a more systemic way, in addition to increasing investment in waste reduction, separation and recycling. Serbia also aims to improve the municipal waste management system through increasing the rate of recycling, reducing the disposal of biodegradable waste in landfills and reducing the disposal of waste in unsanitary landfills. While 79.4% of municipal solid waste produced was landfilled, only 48.8% of that total was deposited in one of Serbia’s 12 sanitary landfills. In 2023, the recycling rate for municipal solid waste was 15.5%. The average coverage of municipal waste collection is 88%. Belgrade has finished the construction of a regional waste centre with a 350,000t incinerator and cogeneration plant, and Subotica has an operational centre with a composting facility, while five more regional centres are under construction.