World Environment Day is celebrated every year around the globe to raise awareness of environmental issues and to encourage more responsible environmental protection. For 2025, the theme is “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”, and the host country will be Ivory Coast, specifically the city of Abidjan.

Pollution of rivers and lakes is a serious environmental problem in Serbia as well. Many watercourses are contaminated with plastic waste – from packaging, bags, and bottles, to microplastics that disrupt ecosystems and endanger both plant and animal life. Plastic from water sources enters the food chain, which in the long term has consequences for human health as well.

That is why one of the main goals of the national project “Clean Serbia” is not only the construction of modern utility infrastructure – sewage networks and wastewater treatment plants – but also raising public awareness of the importance of protecting nature and managing waste responsibly.

The project reminds us that the preservation of rivers, lakes, and groundwater is not a task completed solely by building pipelines and treatment plants, but also by changing behavior – from proper waste disposal to avoiding single-use plastics. The participation of local communities, educational institutions, and individuals is crucial to the success of these efforts.

In the context of this year’s global theme – “Solutions to Plastic Pollution” – it is important to emphasize that Serbia, through initiatives such as “Clean Serbia,” is taking concrete steps toward a healthier and more sustainable environment.