A protest by residents in Neighborhood 15 of Durrës has once again highlighted a problem that, according to them, has dragged on for years: the collection of urban waste near their homes, in a space that was supposed to be only a temporary solution. Faced with the lack of a sustainable solution from local institutions, residents blocked the movement of waste trucks for about an hour.
A temporary collection site that has lasted for years
The protest was held near the former Bus Park, in the Spitallë area, where urban waste trucks deposit their loads during the day before they are transported to the Sharra landfill.
According to residents, this collection point was presented as a transitional measure, but it has continued to operate for three years. They say the dedicated transit site promised by the Municipality of Durrës has still not been built.
Complaints about the smell, pollution and living near waste
Residents living in the surrounding apartment blocks describe the area as a hotspot of pollution, especially during the summer, when high temperatures worsen the situation.
According to them, the heavy smell reaches into the apartments, while repeated complaints to the Municipality have not brought concrete solutions. They claim the daily lives of hundreds of families are being directly affected by a problem that institutions have been unable to resolve.
Residents blocked trucks for about an hour
During the morning, protesters stopped the movement of waste trucks for nearly an hour, as a sign of pressure on institutions to intervene and relocate the collection site.
Their demand is clear: the removal of waste from the area near their homes and a permanent solution, not another administrative improvisation postponed indefinitely.
Residents’ testimony: more than 300 families affected
One of the residents told the media that more than 300 families are affected by the situation and insisted that the protest has no political background, but is connected to living conditions and the health of children.
“More than 300 families are affected. We are not here for political reasons, not to mention that all those protesting here are all socialists. We came out because of our problem, for our children. For more than 3 years we have not opened the windows, it is impossible. We are asking for the garbage to be removed, for the most minimal thing to be done. The directors who work in municipal services should come and stay here for just 30 minutes and understand what is happening,” he said.
The case in Neighborhood 15 once again raises the question of why a solution announced as temporary has turned into normality for years, while the real cost is falling on residents.
So far, what can be seen on the ground is only the citizens’ protest and an unresolved waste management problem in a populated area.