Eko Island

In June 2005, an environmentally friendly municipal waste management system was introduced on the island of Krk, widely known as the “Eco Island of Krk”. It represents a comprehensive waste management model, the first of the kind in Croatia, which enables the disposal of all types of waste. Initially, five types of municipal waste were collected in public containers (organic waste, paper, PET, glass and residual waste).

The system has been upgraded over the years, and in 2014 a door-to-door waste collection system was introduced. Households now have their own waste sorting bins which are emptied according to a prearranged schedule.

Due to the specific configuration of the old town centres and technical difficulties in terms of access and collection of waste in the door-to-door system, underground and semi-underground containers for five types of municipal waste (organic waste, paper, PET, glass, residual waste) have been installed to make it easier for citizens to sort their waste. So far, 25 sets of underground and semi-underground containers have been installed.

In the rural parts of the island, where door-to-door system has not yet been implemented, there are still public waste container sets in 90 locations.

On top of that, additional containers are set up at a total of 17 beach locations during the tourist season.

The island of Krk has seven POSAMs – special collection points (one for each local self-government unit) where citizens can dispose of bulky household waste (old furniture, household appliances, green waste, car tires) and hazardous waste, free of charge.

At special collection points, packaging waste is purchased from citizens for a fee of HRK 0.50 per piece (PET, glass, aluminum).

Additionally, in front of every special collection point, a set of containers is available to all citizens and especially weekend visitors, 24 hours a day.

Around 19,500 tons of municipal waste are collected each year on the island, out of which as many as 12,000 tons during the summer months.

Currently, about 60% of waste is collected separately.

In the modern recycling centre, the sorted waste is processed and prepared for recycling, while the unsorted waste is disposed of at the Treskavac waste disposal site using state-of-the-art methods.

The following sorted waste is brought to the recycling centre, where it is additionally sorted, pressed and baled:

• Cardboard
• Office paper
• Newspaper
• Glass
• Aluminium cans
• Tins
• PET packaging
• Other plastic packaging
• Hard plastic
• Foils and nylon bags

Thanks to the separate waste collection, recycling and composting, the island of Krk prevents over 83% of the total potential emissions of harmful gases produced as a result of the utilities sector activities.

By recycling waste, we reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 20%.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the utilities sector per capita on the island of Krk are 22% lower than the Croatian average.

Find out more at www.ponikve.hr