Željka Šikić, a resident of Gospić in Croatia’s Lika region, led a large protest outside the Croatian parliament earlier this month. The demonstration, part of the “Gospić is our home” campaign, aimed to draw attention to the illegal dumping of waste near her home between 2022 and 2024. Over 35,000 tonnes of waste, including hazardous materials, was reportedly dumped in the area, with trucks transporting the waste passing directly by Šikić’s front door. Local authorities and police allegedly failed to notice the activity, prompting residents to take turns monitoring the site and photographing the vehicles. A recent report by the Croatian Institute of Public Health revealed the presence of PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—in groundwater near the dumping site. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and can pose long-term health risks. The report also found elevated levels of copper and lead in the soil, though officials have assured the public that drinking water is safe. Many residents, however, have stopped using tap water and now buy bottled water due to concerns about contamination. Šikić described feeling both fear and frustration, noting that she would like to move but is uncertain who would buy a house near the waste site. She expressed a sense of betrayal by the situation. In February 2025, 13 people were arrested on suspicion of involvement in an environmental criminal network responsible for the illegal dumping. The main suspects, two Croatian nationals, were considered high-value targets by Europol and were believed to have orchestrated the illegal import of hazardous waste from Italy, Slovenia, and Germany. The criminal operation is estimated to have generated over €4 million in profit. Residents had hoped the arrests would lead to the cleanup of the site, but 18 months later, the waste remains. Šikić and 16 other residents formed the “Gospić is our home” movement to demand action. Ivana Rukavina Sarić, a campaign member, stated that the group has reached out to people from various professional backgrounds to address the complex issue. The campaign has drawn national attention, with the group receiving daily calls from other affected communities. Sarić noted that similar waste issues exist in other Croatian towns and that the problem is not confined to the country’s borders. The United Nations estimates that 15% to 30% of EU waste shipments are illegal. A recent Guardian investigation found that irrigation canals in Turkey are contaminated with microplastics, a major destination for UK waste exports. In September, tens of thousands of people from across Croatia marched in Zagreb, with estimates suggesting around 40,000 participants. The group is demanding comprehensive cleanup of the site, the urgent removal of the buried waste, and the inclusion of all known waste hotspots in a national waste strategy. The Croatian government has initiated two public procurement procedures for waste removal but has not provided clear deadlines or actions. The group plans to protest at the European Parliament in Brussels, stating they have lost too much time for more promises. The Croatian government did not respond to a request for comment.