Podgorica, (MINA) – Following lengthy but successful negotiations, the World Bank has approved a EUR 40 million loan to Montenegro to improve the waste management system and enhance the quality of life of citizens, said Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan CUlafic.

He said that through this project, the Regional Waste Management Center Niksic will be constructed, which will provide modern waste treatment, recycling and composting for several municipalities.

“Thus, we will significantly reduce reliance on landfilling and create conditions for increasing the recycling rate”, said Culafic in a press statement.

He said that it is particularly important that the project also includes the rehabilitation of around 11 hectares of contaminated land at the former Aluminum Plant (KAP) site in Zeta, thus initiating the resolution of a decades-long environmental problem and reducing the risk to public health and the environment.

Culafic assessed that this shows responsibility and a clear commitment to direct loan into long-term and sustainable solutions, rather than into temporary measures that do not bring essential environmental changes.