An average citizen of Croatia produces as much as 486 kilograms of waste per year, clearly illustrating the scale of the problem we are facing. The consequences are particularly visible at the local level, and waste management in Split-Dalmatia County has for years represented one of the most serious environmental and public health challenges.
Improper waste disposal, illegal dumping sites, and waste burning have become everyday occurrences that threaten nature, human health, and quality of life. This trend is clearly reflected in the work of the Green Phone, a service through which citizens report environmental issues.
The majority of reports received by Sunce’s Green Phone last year were related to waste management, which has been the most frequently reported issue for years. Citizens are most concerned about illegal dumping sites, improper disposal of hazardous waste such as asbestos, and the burning of waste on private and public surfaces. An additional problem is weak cooperation with institutions, which creates frustration among citizens and reduces trust in the system. This is precisely why the increase in reports via the Green Phone is not surprising—citizens want change and are seeking ways to protect their health and the environment.
From report to solution: the Marjan example
In December last year, Sunce’s Green Phone received a citizen report about a car wreck that had been standing for years right on the border of Marjan Forest Park. Besides damaging the appearance of this valuable natural area, such waste also poses a potential environmental risk.
Sunce reacted immediately and forwarded the report to the Administrative Department for Communal Services of the City of Split. A timely response and good cooperation with the competent services proved to be crucial.
Just one month later, positive news arrived: following an inspection and contact with the landowner, municipal wardens issued an order to remove the wreck. The owner complied, and the vehicle was removed. This eliminated a long-standing source of pollution, and the area near Marjan Forest Park was once again cleaned and restored to nature.
The Green Phone as a tool for change
This example clearly shows how important cooperation between citizens, associations, and institutions is. Citizens are often the first to notice irregularities in the environment, whether it is discarded waste, improperly disposed construction materials, or other forms of pollution.
It is important to remember that every illegal dumping site usually begins with a single irresponsible act by an individual. However, every report and every responsible reaction can also be the beginning of a solution. When citizens take action and the competent services respond, real changes in the environment we live in are possible.
The Green Phone has proven to be a tool that enables people to take action and protect their environment. Sunce helps citizens in drafting comments on harmful projects and encourages institutions to carry out their work responsibly.
Caring for the environment is not only a matter of laws and regulations—it begins with each of us. Through joint action, we can make our city a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful place to live, and preserve natural values for future generations.
Report an environmental problem completely anonymously via phone, email, or social media.
Every report matters and is a step closer to a cleaner and healthier environment.
The Green Phone is co-financed as part of the project “Together – our voices and actions for the environment ,” with funds from the Impact4Values 2.0 programme.
Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.