From Landfill to Power: Zenica’s Waste to Energy Pathway

The project, implemented by Damaris Solutions in close cooperation with Privredno društvo „Regionalna deponija Mošćanica“ d.o.o. Zenica, aims to address the persistent challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s waste management system by introducing sustainable waste-to-energy (WtE) solutions in Zenica. The country continues to rely heavily on open landfills, with minimal waste sorting and underutilized opportunities for energy recovery. Although the Waste Management Law is evolving to align with EU directives emphasizing reuse, recycling, and energy recovery, municipalities like Zenica struggle with implementation. Zenica’s landfill, which processes approximately 76,000 tons of waste annually, already captures biogas, but the gas is currently flared without energy recovery. This project proposes to harness that potential by assessing and introducing modern WtE technologies tailored to local conditions, turning waste into a valuable energy source and aligning operations with environmental and energy goals.

The project goes beyond infrastructure development—it introduces innovation, knowledge transfer, and public engagement to ensure long-term impact. Through a feasibility study, the most appropriate WtE technology will be identified and designed specifically for Zenica’s landfill. A solar-powered compacting waste container station will be installed to demonstrate sustainable waste management in practice. Key stakeholders will participate in a study tour to Czechia to learn from advanced WtE and circular economy systems, with a focus on adapting these lessons to the Bosnian context. Public awareness campaigns will engage the community, and targeted capacity-building activities will support inclusive participation. By bridging technical innovation with local ownership, the project aims to transform Zenica into a replicable model for sustainable waste management across Bosnia and Herzegovina.