How the illegal dumping of toxic waste in a Croatian town sparked national calls for clean-up
Summary
In the Croatian town of Gospić, illegal dumping of about 35,000 tonnes of hazardous waste between 2022 and 2024 has caused health and environmental concerns. Despite arrests made in early 2025, the waste remains, leading residents to form a campaign demanding cleanup and government action.Key Facts
- Around 35,000 tonnes of toxic waste were dumped illegally near homes in Gospić, Croatia.
- Waste included hazardous materials; some chemicals called PFAS were found in nearby groundwater.
- PFAS are man-made chemicals that last a long time in the environment and can cause serious health problems.
- Local residents noticed trucks dumping waste at night and started filming them.
- In February 2025, police arrested 13 people suspected of running a criminal group importing waste illegally from Italy, Slovenia, and Germany.
- The criminal network reportedly made over €4 million by falsely declaring the waste as recyclable.
- Despite arrests, the contaminated waste site has not been cleaned up after 18 months.
- Residents formed the campaign “Gospić is our home” to push for cleanup and raise awareness across Croatia.
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