NEW waste management system on the island KRK, croatia – results of implementation of the curbside recyclables collection

The island of Krk, situated in the Kvarner bay, Republic of Croatia is the biggest island in the Adriatic Sea with area of 409, 9 square kilometres, with 18.361 regular residents. During the tourist season, number of residents reaches more than 120.000, making strong pressure on municipal services, especially on waste management system. At the beginning of summer 2005, new, environmentally friendly waste management system was introduced. The new system is based on separate curbside collection with five different categories: biowaste, paper, plastics and metals, glass and remaining waste. All the collected material is transported to centrally placed recycling and disposal centre to further separation, biological treatment and disposal. There was no compulsory participation, nor financial incentives. The overall efficiency of the separate collection for the first 18 months was 20 % by mass that is more encouraging than satisfying.