Novi Pazar, 5 June 2025

Novi Pazar is Shifting Gears: Recycling becoming the Norm

In Novi Pazar, recycling isn’t just a job but also a daily practice for a large part of its residents. Today, the city ranks among the leaders in Serbia in terms of collected recyclable waste, with the local Recycling Centre processing over 820 tonnes of recyclable wastes annually. Behind this success lies more than a decade of dedicated work, systematic support, and a shared vision for a healthier and more sustainable environment.

To further strengthen environmental protection, Novi Pazar, with the support of the European Union through the EU PRO Plus programme, is boosting the capacity of its Recycling Centre. Thanks to an EU grant exceeding 370,000 Euros and co-funding from the city of over 130,000 Euros, the facility is being expanded, new sorting and baling equipment is being procured, and a specialised vehicle for collecting and transporting textile and other recyclable waste is also planned.

The goal is clear: more recycling, less waste ending up in landfills and the results are tangible—a cleaner city and improved protection of the local ecosystem. Already in the first year following project completion, the volume of recyclable waste is expected to increase by up to 50 percent.

"With modernisation and new technology, we will speed up processing, reduce costs, and at the same time help producers meet textile waste treatment standards required for access to the European Union market," says Faruk Suljević, Director of the Public Utility Company "Gradska čistoća".

The project also involves young people, educational institutions, and the local community. The Novi Pazar School for Textile and Leather Design will receive new equipment to actively participate in recycling efforts, while a series of workshops will promote primary waste separation and raise awareness about sustainable, green business practices.

All these activities stem from Novi Pazar’s Urban Development Strategy, developed with EU support, which lays the groundwork for the city’s integrated and sustainable development.

This initiative is part of a broader package of 18 integrated projects deriving from previously developed twelve territorial strategies both supported by the European Union through EU PRO Plus programme with over 9.6 million Euros—piloting a new territorial development model that connects larger cities, smaller municipalities, the civil and business sectors, with one common goal: a better life for all.