20.02.2020.
At the end of May last year, the Ministry of Environment and Energy invited a public call worth HRK 350 million for building sorting plants. The Town of Rijeka is the first such project for which HRK 31.3 million was approved from the Cohesion Fund.
The mayor of Rijeka, Mr. Obersnel, said that Rijeka was committed to the integrated waste separation system, and that the waste would be collected, sorted and offered on the market to the entities engaged in the purchase of raw material. He added that Rijeka and the city utility companies had already contracted more than 250 million EUR from EU funds, with this amount being even bigger when own share of financing was added.
“You have already developed the system of primary sorting in Rijeka, but in order for this system to have added value, it is necessary to increase the quality of useful raw material from waste. This can be achieved through sorting plants. In this context, sorting plants are an important link in the sustainable waste management chain, as part of the green circular economy we are committed to,” said Director of the Fund Siniša Kukić.
Minister Tomislav Ćorić added that he was glad to see that Rijeka was actively observing the trends and activities of the Ministry and of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund regarding the absorption of EU funds, and he expressed his belief in the successful completion of the project.
After signing the contract, they visited the "Riperaj" workroom for which the minister Ćorić said was an excellent example that contributed to the development of circular economy and increasing the awareness of environmental protection.
"Riperaj" is the first organised public space in Croatia where users can mend for free on their own, or with the help of a handyman, defective small household appliances, broken and damaged furniture, clothing, toys, and similar, or they can purchase from the vending machine products such as olive oil or eco-detergent, in bulk without packaging.
