Solid Waste Characterization and Recycling Potential for Decan and Junik Municipality

Abstract Solid waste management is one of the most environmentally challenging issues in Kosovo. Still there is not full coverage with waste collection service, there are a lot of illegal dumpsites, very few recycling initiatives and so on. In the study, we have investigated waste generation per day, solid waste characterization and recycling potential in two municipalities of Kosovo – Decan and Junik. The data were collected during 10 days in different locations in order to cover the whole territory of both municipalities. Both municipalities generate almost the same amount of waste per capita/kg/day, have very similar waste characterization when half of the waste is biodegradable. Only by selling recycling type of waste to waste treatment companies both of the municipalities generate incomes that can be used to improve waste management in their territory. So, as far as these municipalities start with waste separation, better waste management will be within their territory.