Validation Workshop #4 Highlights – Neum, BiH
24–25 September 2025
The fourth Validation Workshop of our project brought consortium partners to Neum, the only coastal municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country’s single gateway to the Adriatic Sea. The Municipality of Neum generously hosted the two-day event, providing a scenic and symbolic setting for discussions on sustainable waste management and electronic waste (e-waste) solutions.
Key Observations and Insights
Despite progress in environmental policy, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) continues to face serious challenges in managing e-waste:
- Low Collection Rates
E-waste collection remains well below European Union standards. Many municipalities still lack convenient access to official collection points or specialized services for “special waste” streams. - Landfill Concerns
Numerous landfills for general waste fall short of EU sanitary requirements. Deficiencies such as missing impermeable barriers, inadequate gas collection, and insufficient leachate treatment increase the risk of hazardous substances—particularly from mismanaged e-waste—leaking into the environment. - Illegal Dump Sites and Waste Mixing
Unregulated dumping is widespread, and separation of recyclables at the source is minimal, compounding the environmental impact.
Legislative Landscape
Bosnia and Herzegovina has enacted regulations for the treatment of electrical and electronic equipment waste and is developing further Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations for manufacturers, importers, and distributors. However, implementation is uneven: infrastructure gaps persist, and national collection targets are frequently missed, especially in rural or remote areas.
Local Efforts and Key Stakeholders
One of the country’s primary drivers of e-waste collection is ZEOS eco-system (www.zeos.ba). Since its establishment in 2013, ZEOS has collected and responsibly processed millions of kilograms of electronic waste.
- For Businesses: Legal entities generating large quantities of e-waste can request free pickup services.
- For Households: Residents can drop off smaller items at designated containers or municipal recycling yards.
Public awareness remains crucial. Ongoing education programs and local campaigns—such as those highlighted during the workshop in Neum—aim to motivate citizens to sort and deliver e-waste properly.
Moving Forward
The Neum workshop underscored the need for coordinated action: strengthening infrastructure, ensuring consistent enforcement of regulations, and engaging citizens in sustainable practices. Lessons learned here will inform our next steps as we work together toward higher collection rates, cleaner disposal methods, and alignment with EU environmental standards.
