One year PPP Saubermacher Tetovo: Politics, business and research take inventory at the ‘Environmental Forum’ in North Macedonia

Knowledge transfer, trained staff and awareness-raising

Saubermacher collected over 34,000 tons of municipal waste within the territory of the muncipality of Tetovo last year, laying the foundation for proper waste disposal. Over the next 15 years, the two partners from the private and public sectors want to raise waste and resource management to a stable level through targeted synergies. Massive littering should be a thing of the past. Some measures have already been successfully implemented in the first year in the muncipality of 90,000 inhabitants. A total of over 500 new waste bins were installed at particularly busy locations. Additionally, 100 trained employees take care of the collection and disposal with 19 waste trucks. Financial challenges are being managed jointly. Existing and new staff is being integrated directly into the company. This has relieved the burden on the city budget and created stable regional jobs at the same time. The most important step: actively raising awareness in one of the largest cities in North Macedonia. Both social media and flyer campaigns were launched for this purpose. In addition, the environmental campaign ‘Generalka Weekend’ was launched by the Macedonian-Austrian company ‘Man and Mountain’ under the leadership of Hannes Jäckl from Styria. In the nearby National Park Shar Mountain, numerous volunteers took part in cleaning up nature. Saubermacher supported the campaign free of charge and took care of the transport and professional disposal of a total of 12 tons of collected waste. In the course of the campaign 9 very rural villages situated in the National park were connected to a waste collection system for the very first time. This year, Saubermacher will be the official partner of the “Generalka Weekend”, which will once again be conducted in May. Further measures are planned. For example, educational work at schools and kindergartens.

Disposal security with full cost transparency

While the organization of waste management remains in public hands, implementation is carried out with the many years of expertise of the private partner. Thanks to the long-term co-operation, reliable and continuous waste disposal can be guaranteed. This creates security and guarantees the further development of waste management in the region. Success speaks for itself. For example, the separate collection of cardboard packaging from companies in the city center has already been largely implemented. The introduction of separate collection as a pilot project for households is currently being planned. To further increase cost transparency for the city and its residents, Saubermacher has introduced a digital invoice management and payment system.

Environmental Forum unites politics, (waste) industry and research

At the Austrian Macedonian Environmental Forum in Tetovo, Saubermacher and Advantage Austria hosted a dialogue with leading experts from North Macedonia, Austria and Slovenia. They discussed challenges, successes and opportunities in the region.

Bilall Kasami, Mayor of the city of Tetovo: “A year ago, we initiated an important partnership with the company Saubermacher, bringing a new standard in waste management in Tetovo. Today, our city is cleaner, tidier and the quality of life for our citizens has improved significantly. This is just the beginning. With dedication and close cooperation, we are making Tetovo a more livable place for everyone.”

Hans Roth, Saubermacher founder: “Our aim is to further promote correct waste disposal and recycling in Tetovo. Recyclable materials should be sorted and returned to the cycle in the best possible way. Active awareness-raising in schools and kindergartens, for example, plays a key role here. Overall, I see it as our responsibility and duty to pass on our many years of knowledge and to support other countries in their environmental endeavors – for a future worth living for generations to come and beyond national borders.”

Jürgen Schreder, Head of Advantage Austria Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia: “We are very proud to see the success of an Austrian company in North Macedonia and we have been impressed by their operations and engagements within the local community. Saubermacher has made a great impact in this past year and I am very much looking forward to the future and to see the valuable contribution in the country through their operations.”