World Environment Day, traditionally marked on June 5, is this year once again placed within the broader context of a global week dedicated to nature conservation and the promotion of sustainable development. As the most important date in the environmental calendar, it brings together decision-makers, scientific institutions, civil society organizations, and individuals from around the world to reflect on their relationship with the planet and their way of life.
Theme of 2025: “Beat Plastic Pollution”
This year’s global campaign, under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”, highlights the alarming scale of one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time – the uncontrolled production, consumption, and mismanagement of plastic waste.
Each year, more than 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally, over half of which is designed for single use. Vast quantities end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans, transforming into microplastics that enter our bodies through water, food, and even the air we breathe. The consequences are far-reaching, threatening human health and the survival of numerous species and ecosystems.
In response, the international community launched negotiations in 2022 on a legally binding global agreement that would, for the first time in history, cover the entire life cycle of plastics – from production and design to disposal. These negotiations are taking place under the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Although initially scheduled to conclude by the end of 2024, the process is still ongoing, with the final text of the international plastics treaty expected to be agreed in 2025.
�� Official page of the negotiations – UNEP INC Plastic Pollution
Serbia and Plastic Waste: The Situation and Key Challenges
Serbia is facing significant challenges in the field of waste management, with plastic waste being among the most poorly managed waste streams. According to the Waste Management Program for the period 2022–2031, the key challenges include:
- insufficient coverage of separate waste collection systems at the source,
- weak infrastructure for sorting and recycling,
- a high number of unsanitary and illegal landfills,
- inconsistent implementation of legal regulations, and
- a low level of investment in modern waste management systems.
Despite an existing legal framework, a large portion of plastic and packaging waste is still disposed of without prior treatment, while recycling facilities are limited and unevenly distributed. In some municipalities, even basic municipal waste collection services are lacking.
What Is Serbia Planning by 2031?
To address these challenges, the Waste Management Program outlines a series of strategic measures, including:
- the establishment of 29 regional waste management systems, incorporating sorting plants, composting facilities, transfer stations, and recycling centers;
- improving infrastructure for separate waste collection, particularly in smaller communities;
- closing and remediating unsanitary landfills, with a ban on landfilling recyclable or compostable waste;
- strengthening local capacities and ensuring better inter-institutional coordination;
- introducing more efficient models of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to provide sustainable financing for managing packaging and plastic waste.
The aim is to significantly reduce the volume of untreated waste sent to landfills by the end of the planning period, increase the recycling rate, and establish a sustainable and functional waste management system in line with the principles of the circular economy and EU environmental standards.
Conclusion: A Global Challenge – A Local Responsibility
In a year when the world is making crucial decisions about the future of plastics and when the fight against pollution is entering a new phase, Serbia must seize the moment to accelerate the implementation of national reforms. Environment Week is not merely a symbolic reminder, but a clear call for responsibility – toward the environment, future generations, and Serbia’s European path.
The fight against plastic pollution starts in local communities – and succeeds only when systemic solutions and investments are in place to support them.