Zagreb's Recycling Test: Do Residents Know How to Sort Their Waste?

Zagreb Waste Sorting: A Test of Knowledge Reveals Gaps in Recycling Practices Zagreb, Croatia – A recent video by RTL Direkt highlights a concerning trend: many Zagreb residents lack a complete understanding of proper waste sorting. The report, filmed on June 6th, 2025, features interviews with several citizens, revealing inconsistencies in their knowledge of waste disposal. One interviewee, Matea, mistakenly believed that entire toothbrushes could be placed in the plastic recycling bin. Another, Sanja, incorrectly stated that paper towels belonged in the paper recycling, rather than mixed waste. These examples underscore the need for improved public education on waste management. The video also includes an interview with Pavao Barbarić from Novi sindikat u Čistoći, who points out that improper waste disposal leads to contamination of recycling bins and additional challenges for waste management services. He stated, "In bins for mixed municipal waste, you find all sorts of things: plastics, biowaste, and bags." This highlights the broader impact of public misunderstanding. The RTL Direkt report serves as a call for greater public awareness and improved educational initiatives to promote responsible waste sorting in Zagreb and beyond.