There’s something about winter mornings in Bosnia that I’ve come to appreciate over these past 20 plus years. The crisp air, the sound of the river nearby, the stillness of the countryside before the day really begins. Even when the sky is grey and heavy, there’s a certain beauty in it.

But today, as I follow a familiar path near my village, my attention isn’t on the scenery. I know what’s coming.

As the asphalt single track road ends and a muddy path starts, I get near the river bank and there it is, piles of garbage dumped on the river bank. Bags split open, plastic bottles and god knows what else, ( even an old television set) strewn everywhere. I’ve even seen refrigerators and washing machines here before.

It’s frustrating. And it’s not new. But it’s mega frustrating.

A Problem in the Countryside

Bosnia and Herzegovina is an incredible country. Stunning landscapes, welcoming people, and a deep sense of history. But like anywhere, it has its issues. And one of them, at least in rural areas, is this. Illegal dumping.

It’s not everywhere though. The towns and cities here are impressively clean. When you walk through Banja Luka, you won’t see litter piling up in the streets. But for some reason, out in the countryside, it’s a different story.

As I’ve said, I’ve walked this route for years, and it’s always the same. People drive out here and dump their unwanted things, despite the fact that there’s a perfectly good garbage collection service. Every Wednesday, the municipal teams come through and pick up household waste. But instead of using that, some people just… leave it here.

Why Does This Happen?

I’ve talked to Tamara’s family about it. They say it’s just habit with people. It’s how things have always been done. They definitely condone it. To me it’s seems that people just don’t want to deal with it. It’s easier to dump it where no one’s looking.

There’s also the issue of enforcement. In cities, things are taken care of by the counsel with fines etc. But out here? Who’s checking? Who’s making sure it doesn’t happen?

It’s easy to be frustrated by it. But the truth is, this isn’t just a Bosnia problem. I’ve seen it elsewhere. Fly-tipping in the UK is getting out of hand. It’s a challenge that exists in many places, especially where services don’t reach as easily.

A Small Change in Mindset

There’s no quick fix, but I do think it starts with a shift in attitude. Cities in Bosnia changed dramatically in the early 2000’s. When I first arrived here in the late ‘90s, Banja Luka wasn’t as spotless as it is today. People had other priorities, rebuilding, recovering from the war. I understood that back then. But in just a few years, the city cleaned up, and it’s stayed that way.

If that kind of shift can happen in an urban area, surely it can happen in the countryside too?

I should become a permanent resident in the country soon (I’ve been temporary so far), and once I am, I’ll start to slowly try and talk to people in the local municipality.

What About Where You Are?

I know this kind of issue isn’t unique to Bosnia. Do you see this where you live? What’s being done about it?

I’d love to hear from you. Not just about the problem, but about the solutions. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from living here, it’s that change, no matter how slow, is possible.

And maybe, who knows, one day, I’ll walk this route and find nothing but the sound of the river and the trees. No broken televisions, no piles of plastic. Just nature, as it should be.

Until then though, I’ll keep walking.

Thank You for Being Here

If you’ve read this far, thank you. Your support means the world to me, whether it’s a comment, a subscription, or just taking the time to share this post.

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And, I’d be thrilled if you’d check out my new YouTube channel. It’s not about chasing numbers anymore; it’s about connecting with people who get it, who understand the joys and challenges of this phase of life.

Videmo se opet (I’ll see you again soon).