The capital city of Kosovo, Pristina, has declared a state of emergency following significant challenges in waste management, leading to overflowing garbage and heightened public health concerns.
On February 3, 2025, Pristina’s Mayor, Perparim Rama, announced the emergency measure in response to the city’s escalating waste disposal issues. The regional public company “Pastrimi,” responsible for waste collection, has been unable to manage the city’s garbage effectively. Mayor Rama emphasized that Pastrimi lacks the capacity to handle waste management independently and stated, “We will use our state of emergency decision to engage private companies to properly clean the capital.”
Inspections conducted by municipal teams revealed that the accumulation of uncollected waste poses a high risk of disease outbreaks, indicating an alarming situation. In several neighborhoods, garbage containers are overflowing, and many have not been emptied for days, exacerbating the unsanitary conditions.
In response to criticisms regarding the inefficacy of waste collection, Petrit Reçica, General Manager of Pastrimi, defended the company’s efforts. He asserted that despite numerous challenges, their teams work tirelessly around the clock with the sole aim of cleaning Pristina of waste.
This is not the first time Pristina has faced such a crisis. In 2024, a similar state of emergency was declared due to waste management issues, leading to the involvement of private companies in the waste collection process. Subsequently, the Pristina Municipal Assembly approved a regulation granting Pastrimi exclusive rights to waste management services, a decision supported by opposition assembly members.
The recurring waste management problems highlight the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to address Pristina’s ongoing challenges in maintaining cleanliness and public health.
