Uborak Landfill in Mostar Exceeds All Possible Capacities

(Patria) - A solution to the long-standing waste disposal problem in Mostar is still not in sight. The Uborak landfill, located in the northern part of Mostar, has exceeded all possible capacities, yet waste continues to be accepted. Residents are asking the authorities to find a new solution and carry out remediation, while the City is awaiting an environmental permit for further capacity expansion.

Illnesses, infections, unpleasant odors - all of this characterizes the life of residents of the Bjelopolje basin, who live near the Uborak landfill. It was once the most modern landfill, but years of neglect have taken their toll. While pine trees are used to try to hide all the neglect occurring within the company, residents warn that they have had enough.

"After nearly six years of our struggle, nothing has changed. The situation is worse than in 2019," emphasizes Nasur Šarotić, a member of the citizens' association "Jer nas se tiče" (Because It Concerns Us).

"Bosniaks on the left side and Croats on the right side are being poisoned through Uborak, that is one hundred percent proven," adds Fuad Hujdur, a member of the citizens' association "Jer nas se tiče".

Because groundwater flows beneath Uborak, and due to the careless disposal of this waste and non-compliance with standards, residents claim that all inhabitants of Mostar are in danger. All the work done there continues without any order, say the residents, who witness the opening of old, already full landfills to create more space. No one is yet thinking about the consequences.

"They were dumping waste on a landfill that the inspection closed in 2014. Now they are disposing between two old landfills on the watercourse, burying it there," warns Husnija Greljo, a member of the citizens' association "Jer nas se tiče".

"Now they have opened some small body that again has no documentation or permit, they are acting arbitrarily without research, without anything," says Omer Hujdur, a representative in the Assembly of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (NIP).

The situation is stagnating due to criminal charges that residents have filed against the city. They, in turn, state that the problem is not with them.

"That man's demands are ridiculous and unfounded. It is the same as if someone asked you to agree to let them continue to poison and kill your children and family. We will never agree to that," says Hujdur.

On the other hand, those who should be dealing with this problem say that in four years they have already done a lot of work, although a new location for the landfill still does not exist.

"We expect to receive the environmental permit any day now, the adaptation plan is final, funds are secured, and we will continue to solve the Uborak problem. We are moving towards closing the landfill, and that is a process," stated Mario Kordić, Mayor of Mostar (HDZ BiH).

A process that has been ongoing for five years, where we have seen blockades, police repression, a city buried in garbage, and the threat of infection. All of this, they say from the Association, will be undertaken again if the local authorities do not speed up this process.