Presentation and delivery of waste management equipment
Today in Bitola, a portion of the planned waste management equipment (vehicles and containers/bins) was promoted and delivered to the municipalities of the Pelagonia and Southwestern regions.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski was accompanied by the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Muhamed Hoxha, and the Deputy Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Ane Lashkoska.
Before the attending mayors and municipal representatives, as well as partners from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and donors (SECO, WBIF, SIDA), Prime Minister Mickoski stated that today we are sending a strong and unequivocal message that we are moving forward from a system that was neglected for decades toward modern, sustainable, and European waste management.
"With the promotion and delivery of new equipment for solid waste management, we are taking a concrete step toward a cleaner environment, a higher quality of life, and stronger protection of citizens' health. This equipment is not just a technical tool; it is a symbol of systemic change. With its distribution, we enable a significant increase in waste collection service coverage in both urban and rural areas," said Prime Minister Mickoski.
The vehicles, containers, and waste bins provided by the Government through the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning to the public utility companies in these municipalities will facilitate and improve their operations.
Part of the equipment was displayed in the parking lot in front of the sports hall, including 10 trucks with a capacity of 8 cubic meters, 4 trucks with a capacity of 12 cubic meters, 1 tipper truck, 1 Renault truck, as well as other accompanying equipment that will strengthen the efficiency of utility services.
The Mayor of Bitola, Toni Konjanovski, stated that today we are talking about a very significant environmental project for our country—a project that requires a systemic approach from multiple institutions at the local, regional, and central levels to result in permanent solutions to a problem felt by citizens for decades, especially residents of large urban areas.
"This is the Regional Solid Waste Management Project, which does not just mean building a landfill or purchasing trucks and containers. It is a new way of management—a system based on European standards, responsibility, and regional cooperation, fully aligned with European Union directives. The Municipality of Bitola, as the largest municipality in the Pelagonia region, is one of the largest generators of municipal waste, which is why we have a special role and responsibility in this process. For us, this project means an end to improvisations and the beginning of modern, controlled, and sustainable waste management," said Mayor Konjanovski.
Konjanovski reminded that the regional waste management center will be built in the Municipality of Novaci, within the REK Bitola complex, which is a result of regional solidarity and mutual trust between municipalities. He stated that Bitola supports this decision because only through joint solutions can we have a clean region and a healthy environment.
"With the realization of the planned activities, it will be possible to close and remediate existing non-standard landfills, as well as establish a new system with transfer stations in Prilep, Debar, Ohrid, and Kičevo. This will contribute to a significant reduction in pollution, protection of soil and groundwater, better conditions for citizens, and a long-term sustainable model for all municipalities in the region," he said.
The concrete benefits for the Municipality of Bitola, as Konjanovski noted, are already visible with the delivery of new equipment—bins, containers, and waste collection trucks. Conditions are being created for greater service coverage in both urban and rural areas, more efficient waste collection, and the introduction of waste selection at the point of origin.
He emphasized that infrastructure alone is not enough and that the success of this system will depend on how much the municipalities, public enterprises, institutions, and citizens embrace a new culture of responsible waste handling.
"This project is proof that when the state, municipalities, and international partners work together, the results are concrete, visible, and beneficial for everyone. Together, we are building a cleaner Bitola, a cleaner Pelagonia region, and caring for the future of our citizens," said the Mayor of Bitola.
The Minister of Environment and Physical Planning and the Mayor of the Municipality of Novaci also addressed the event.
Source: Bitola Municipality