Wasted Air: Impact of Landfill Fires on Air Pollution and People’s Health in Serbia

Insufficient handling of municipal waste in the Republic of Serbia results in severe repercussions for both public health and overall well-being. The consequences of waste accumulation in unsanitary landfills, which are the primary way waste is disposed of in Serbia, are becoming increasingly obvious. The fires that occur at these landfills are becoming more frequent and larger, in proportion to the increase in the amount of waste dumped there. Unfortunately, opening a small number of sanitary landfills and increasing the amount of waste disposed there has not solved the problem of continuous improper disposal of municipal waste and decades of neglect when it comes to this issue. This study aims to identify the key challenges in municipal waste management and air quality facing Serbia. The results obtained represent a foundation for raising awareness among key decision makers about the importance of this issue and its impact on the quality of life in Serbia.