ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION BY INDUSTRIAL WASTE IN KOSOVO

Population growth and urbanisation alongside industrial development is accompanied with an increase in generated waste. It is estimated that the world will see an increase five times the current waste volume up to 2025. Directly or indirectly, waste is a negative impact on the environment, health and ecosystem as well as being a burden to humankind. Currently, the amount of generated waste from anthropogenic activity is rising continuously. This is a result of the increasing number of population (the more we are, the more waste we produce), intensive industrial development and the ever increasing, use of plastic, paper and glass packaging. A large quantity of waste is also the result of energy production and natural resources that humans consume. The strategy for waste management in the Republic of Kosovo is based on general waste management principles in the European Union (EU) and it is a framework to implementing better practices in waste management. Based on Kosovo’s capacities, it is very necessary to review the waste management strategy and to prioritize awareness campaigns targeted to informing the population regarding the damage and illnesses they may cause, both to the environment and human health. Kosovo has a lack of proper management and adequate landfills and treatment plants for such waste, which is why they cause severe health and environmental issues