On 24.12.2014. at 2 pm, an agreement was signed in the Vogošća Municipality building on the establishment of a system for selective disposal of packaging waste and its preparation for recycling. The agreement was signed by the Mayor of Vogošća Municipality Edin Smajić, the representative of the authorized collector Aida Commerce doo Sead Alić and the director of Ekopak Amela Hrbat. This is the first municipality in the Sarajevo Canton to join the Green Dot System, which Ekopak – the first authorized system operator – is successfully building based on the European experiences and practices of other members of PRO EUROPE, the umbrella European organization of system operators.
The contract obliges Ekopak to finance the purchase of bells for the establishment of seven eco-islands, co-finance the construction and equipping of the areas, and conduct educational and promotional activities aimed at raising awareness among citizens about the proper disposal and recycling of packaging waste. The eco-islands that will be set up will have a special source of lighting using solar energy, which is the first such example in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The Municipality of Vogošća has recognized the importance of waste management and in this regard has sought the best possible partner for this project, and we have found it in the company Ekopak. It is certainly an honor that we are the first Municipality in the Sarajevo Canton to build this type of green islands. However, this also means our readiness to resolve all doubts and find the best solutions ourselves, without the experience of others. We met Ekopak even earlier and collaborated on the project “Clean Vogošća”. As for the current project, this is only the first phase. After the allocation of containers for separating glass, paper and plastic, we will begin the construction and arrangement of the places where these containers will be placed. These locations will be fully in accordance with environmental norms and standards, and they will also carry a symbolic message because they will be illuminated by renewable solar energy from eco-islands where waste disposal bells will be placed. We are extremely pleased that Ekopak also saw in us a serious partner with whom it can start the implementation of this project for the first time in the Sarajevo Canton. And the importance of this project for preserving the environment in the local community and raising environmental awareness among our fellow citizens goes without saying. After the implementation of this project, we already have plans to establish a recycling yard at the New Industrial Zone location where all collected waste will be adequately disposed of, and it will also be a collection station for all those who see waste disposal as an opportunity to generate additional income,” says Mayor Edin Smajić.
“We are pleased that after 10 municipalities across the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in which Ekopak is establishing a system of separate collection and recycling of packaging waste, it is now Sarajevo’s turn. We would like to express our gratitude to the Municipality of Vogošća, headed by Mayor Edin Smajić, for recognizing in Ekopak a partner with whom they will begin this important process of organizing the Municipality of Vogošća according to the model of modern European municipalities, in the segment of packaging waste management. Special thanks go to our partner Aida Commerce, who will contribute to completing the process in Vogošća, i.e. ensuring that the collected packaging waste is collected and handed over for recycling,” said Ekopak Director Amela Hrbat.
