Slovakia without false solutions in waste management

Today, Slovakia is facing pressure from investments that often prioritize quick profits over the protection of human health and the environment. Whether it involves waste incinerators, pyrolysis plants, or facilities inappropriately located near residential areas—many of them are presented as “modern solutions,” but in reality they pose risks that must be thoroughly assessed and communicated to the public.
More than ever before, it is essential to ensure compliance with the binding Waste Management Hierarchy, the implementation of the Slovak Republic’s Waste Management Strategy through 2035, and the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy, as well as relevant legislation—particularly regarding the construction of new waste management facilities and their impact on environmental quality. But this cannot be done without public involvement.
Last but not least, it is essential to change the established ways of viewing waste—no longer as the final link in a linear economy—and shift toward a circular economy, which is the means to achieving a zero-waste society. This leads directly to the Zero Waste philosophy, where the emphasis shifts from waste management to the proper management of Earth’s valuable resources.
Through this project, the organization aims to address the aforementioned problems and challenges.
Since the NGO has been excluded from the working groups at the Slovak Ministry of the Environment tasked with drafting legislation and strategic documents, and communication with their representatives has come to a standstill, the project intends to focus its efforts primarily on working with local governments and the public. Changing public opinion and supporting civic engagement and the courage to bring about change is crucial at this time.

The goal of the project “Slovakia Without False Solutions in Waste Management” is to draw the public’s attention to real solutions in waste management, to adherence to the Waste Hierarchy, and to compliance with legislation. There is an ongoing manipulation of facts, half-truths, and even outright lies being presented to the public by government officials. Through this project, a space will be created to counter these with expert arguments and examples of best practices toward Zero Waste. At the same time, the project will support the public in the fight against false solutions in waste management and in the defense of their civil rights.
1. Protecting and supporting civil society in the fight against false solutions in waste management.
The organization will monitor developments in proposed projects through the EIA process via the Citizen Assistance Center. It will actively seek out affected communities and local governments, informing them of the potential risks of false solutions in waste management and their impacts on the environment and human health. It will advise them on how to exercise their civil rights and will participate in public gatherings and meetings.
2. Stop false solutions in waste management and the misleading of the general and professional public.
The core of the activity is watchdogging and responding to developments in society, as well as statements by representatives of central government and local authorities in the field of waste management. It is essential to respond and present arguments/facts based on credible data and studies, which is the focus of the “Stop Incinerators” campaign.
3. Support for Zero Waste municipalities in Slovakia.
The organization will conduct watchdog activities and lobbying at the local government level. It aims to hold at least 10 meetings with local government, including ZMOS, where the focus will be on real solutions in waste management and compliance with legislation, and attempts will be made to refute misleading claims about the need for false solutions.

The core of the activities involves monitoring, lobbying, and responding to developments in society, as well as statements made by representatives of the central government and local authorities regarding waste management. There is ongoing manipulation of facts, misleading information, and even outright lies being presented to the public by government and political officials. It is essential to respond and present arguments and facts based on credible data, which is the focus of the “Stop Incinerators” campaign (https://www.stopspalovniam.sk/). The organization will prepare expert articles, statements, and press releases for the media. There will be at least 10 of them in total. It will regularly post short updates on its Facebook profile, at least 40 in total.
Through the Citizen Assistance Center, the project will provide support to affected communities and local governments against false solutions in waste management (during EIA processes). It will provide them with expert arguments and advise them on civil rights. Only in this way can a resilient society be built that knows how to stand up for itself. At the same time, the project will protect the environment from the negative impacts of poorly prepared projects. It is anticipated that the organization will be able to stop or suspend up to 15 projects through approximately 30 filings.
A shift at the local government level toward a Zero Waste approach to waste management will have a long-term impact in the form of a reduction in the amount of mixed waste ending up in landfills or waste-to-energy plants. The focus will be on real solutions in waste management and compliance with legislation. The organization will present examples of Zero Waste best practices from municipalities in Europe and Slovakia and offer them expert assistance. It will prepare expert articles, at least two local policies, and mailings to local governments.