Residents of Žabalj in Serbia have protested against the planned opening of a waste tire processing facility, citing concerns over possible impacts on water sources, agricultural land and the nearby Jegrička Bara area. The protest, held under the slogan “We don’t give Žabalj, we don’t give Jegrička,” followed public concern about a proposed tire recycling plant with a reported capacity of up to 72 tonnes per day. The facility is planned for an industrial zone but, according to residents, would be located about 800 meters from the first houses. Citizens are calling for the project either to be relocated or suspended, arguing that they have not received sufficient answers about the environmental impact of the proposed tire processing operation.

Residents cite environmental concerns

Local residents said they fear possible pollution of drinking water sources, arable land and the Jegrička Bara area. According to a resident named Miloš, who was among citizens who submitted objections to the Environmental Impact Study, a water source supplying Žabalj is located nearby. He also said the surrounding area includes agricultural land used for food production and canals connected to Jegrička Bara.

Factory planned in industrial zone

The planned waste tire processing factory would be built in an industrial zone, with a stated processing capacity of up to 72 tonnes per day. Although the site is within an industrial area, residents argue that its distance from housing, water resources and agricultural land makes the project unacceptable without clearer environmental safeguards and public explanations.

Public hearing and objections remain unresolved

Miloš said a public hearing related to the proposed factory was held three months earlier. According to him, a 60-day deadline had been agreed for responding to questions about the factory’s environmental impact, but residents had not yet received the response. He said citizens submitted more than 500 applications and objections to the study, with the deadline for replies expected by the end of August.

Citizens ask for relocation or suspension

Residents said they want specific answers on why the tire processing facility would be beneficial for the local community and how environmental risks would be addressed. Miloš said the community already faces pressure from a landfill and farms, and that adding a tire processing plant would be too much for the area.

The protesters are asking authorities and project stakeholders either to move the tire recycling project away from Žabalj or to stop it completely. Their concerns underline the importance of public consultation, transparent environmental impact assessment and clear safeguards when developing tire recycling, rubber recycling or waste processing facilities near communities, farmland and sensitive water systems.

Article source: Vreme.