Dunavska ala

Projekat „Dunavska ala“ je zasnovan na promovisanju mira, umetnosti i zaštite životne sredine. Projekat ima za cilj da ukaže na značaj na očuvanje reke Dunava i direktno doprinese unapređenju stanja priobalja Dunava kod Novog Sada, organizovanjem akcija njegovog čišćenja i izrađivanjem primenjenih umetničkih objekata.

Projekat je za osnovu imao međunarodni volonterski kamp, koji je jednim delom organizovan u fruškogorskom selu Jazak od 17. – 27.07.2022. godine, dok se drugi deo kampa održao u Novom Sadu od 28. – 31.07.2022. godine i predstavljao je glavnu projektnu aktivnost. Na kampu su učestvovali mladi iz Srbije, Švedske, Japana, Tajlanda, Rusije, Italije i Bugarske, zajedno sa troje lokanih profesionalnih umetnika.

Međunarodni volonterski kamp je osmišljen tako da učesnici, uz stručnu pomoć profesionalnih umetnika, zajedno promišljaju, a zatim i izrađuju objekte, koji pored umetničkih vrednosti imaju i praktičnu primenu. Za vreme dvanaestodnevne radionice, odbačeni industrijski bojleri i drugi nerđajući metalni otpad su obnovljeni i preoblikovani (eng. upcycled) u kante za otpad. Izrađeno je ukupno 10 kanti. Svaka kanta predstavlja alu, odnosno zmaja kojeg su učesnici dizajnirali na osnovu njihovog kulturnog nasleđa i porekla. Kante su izrađene i postavljene kako bi doprinele održavanju čistoće obale reke Dunava. Kante su prvobitno bile postavljene na novosadskoj plaži Štrand u periodu od 28.07. – 31.07.2022. godine, a kante će biti izložene na Novosadskom sajmu ekologije od 28.09. – 02.10.2022. godine.

Projekat „Dunavska ala“ su sproveli Inženjeri zaštite životne sredine, zajedno sa projektnim partnerom Fondacijom Novi Sad – Evropska prestonica kulture 2022 i Mladim istraživačima Srbije. Projekat je finansiran od strane Fondacije Novi Sad – Evropska prestonica kulture 2022 i Ministarstva omladine i sporta Republike Srbije. Takođe, projekat je podržan i od strane Omladinskog saveza udruženja „OPENS“ i Grada Novog Sada – Gradske uprave za sport i omladinu.

Reči učesnika o zmajevima i sistemima upravljanja otpadom u njihovim zemljama

Đulija Đakomini – Italija

1. Sistem upravljanja otpadom u Italiji

Sistem za upravljanje otpadom se u Italiji razlikuje od mesta do mesta, uzimajući u obzir efikasnost i njegovo planiranje. Sveukupno, učinak je zadovoljavajući i prema poslednjem izveštaju oko 30% otpada je organska frakcija koja se biorazgrađuje, a 30% otpada se reciklira. Građani i građanke bacaju više od polovine svog otpada u kante za recikliranje i ovo se poboljšava svake godine. Problem koji još uvek nije rešen je sve veće generisanje otpada koje se ne smanjuje.

2. Italijanski zmaj

U hrišćanskoj kulturi zmaj se smatra zlim stvorenjem koje predstavlja pakao i zemlju. Međutim, u Italiji je zmaj takođe dostojan protivnik. Postoje mnoge legende gde vitezovi ubijaju zmajeve kako bi zaštitili narod, dobijajući time i slavu. Kada Italijani hoće da pokažu svoje oduševljenje za nečije izuzetne sposobnosti, Italijani koriste reč „zmaj“.

Matilda Bertils – Švedska

1. Sistem upravljanja otpadom u Švedskoj

U Švedskoj se u osnovnim školama usklađuje znanje kroz igru i uči se o procesu reciklaže. Gradovi i mali gradovi imaju reciklažne stanice gde ljudi mogu da odnesu svoj otpad na reciklažu. Reciklira se skoro sve i ako to nije moguće, otpad će se iskoristiti kao gorivo za spalionice[1]. Takođe, odvaja se materijal za kompostiranje od recikliranih proizvoda, a prodavnice prehrambenih proizvoda danas koriste papirne kese za voće i povrće koje su napravljene da se kasnije ponovo koriste kao vreće za kompostiranje.

[1] Spalionica – postrojenje za proces termičke obrade koji uključuje termičku razgradnju otpada 

2. Švedski zmaj

Kada sam birala između četiri dela za svog zmaja, mislila sam na nordijskog mitološkog zmaja, zmiju Midgarda[1]. Po legendi je bila toliko velika da je mogla da se omota oko Midgarda i da grize sopstveni rep. Zato sam izabrala velike cevi koje predstavljaju njegovo telo. Takođe sam želela da iskoristim švedskog crtanog junaka zmaja Bolibompa i prikazati njegovu razigranost koja je predstavljena u obliku leptira. Zajedno sa umetnicima sam postavila cevi da se okomotaju oko bojlera i iskoristila otvor od cevi za ubacivanje čepova flaša.

[1] Midgard – Srednja zemlja iz nordijsko-germanske mitologije 

Airi Takizava – Japan

1. Sistem upravljanja otpadom u Japanu iz Airinog ugla

U Japanu su se nekada masovno koristili proizvodi za jednokratnu upotrebu i to je izazvalo ozbiljan problem, kako efikasno upravljati otpadom. Iz tog razloga je Japan preusmerio svoju privredu da reciklira svoj otpad i kroz promociju inicijativa kao što je 3R (recikliraj-ponovo upotrebi-smanji), Japan je uspeo u 2018. godini da za 60% poveća efikasnost upotrebe resursa i za oko 70% smanji zapreminu odloženog otpada u poređenju sa 2000. godinom. Različiti zakoni su doneti u Japanu koji se odnose na upravljanje otpadom. Ukupna generisana količina otpada u 2018. godini je iznosila 4.272 t/godišnje. Ova vrednost se odnosi samo na komunalni otpad, pa ako se uzme u obzir i industrijski otpad, količina generisanog otpad bi iznosila mnogo više. Pored toga, oko 612 tona hrane se odloži kao otpad, što predstavlja jednu činiju hrane po osobi.

2. Japanski zmaj iz ugla Airi

Japanski vodeni zmaj je izrađen uz pomoć četiri metalna dela koji su nadgrađeni na metalni bojler. Zmaj u ovoj umetničkoj celini izražava cikluse prirode. Verovanje u vodenog zmaja može određivati sudbinu nekoga, u zavisnosti da li je zmaj dobar ili loš. Ako zmaj ima dobre namere, možemo mu izraziti zahvalnost, a ako zmaj ima loše namere, to može dovesti do pojava bolesti. Ljudi se mole zmaju i pokazuju mu gostoprimstvo kako bi sprečili pojavu poplava.

Ana Kovilina – Rusija

1. Sistem upravljanja otpadom u Rusiji

Rusija je trenutno na putu da pronađe nove i unapredi postojeće načine upravljanja otpadom i reciklažom, jer sada samo 7% otpada reciklira. Ruska vlada ne podržava dovoljno recikliranje otpada sa finansijskog, administrativnog i infrastrukturnog pogleda. Kao posledica ovoga, veliki broj ljudi ne razdvaja otpad jer nema kontejnera za odvojeno sortiranje otpada. Ne postoje adekvatne edukacije i kaznene mere za nepoštovanje mera za odvojeno sakupljanje otpada. Većina kompanija koje se bave reciklažom isključivo rade u velikim gradovima i u privatnom su vlasništvu.

2. Ruski zmaj

U ruskoj kulturi, zmaj je predstavljen pod nazivom „Zmei Gorinych“. Njegovo ime znači Gorska zmija. Tradiocionalno zmaj ima tri ili više glava, bljuje vatru i ume da leti. On je zlo stvorenje koje otima žene. Takođe, može se pretvoriti u čoveka. Samo vitez (bogatyr) može pobediti zmaja i uspostaviti mir.

Marijana Goranova – Bugarska

1. Sistem upravljanja otpadom u Bugarskoj

Bugarska još uvek nema razvijen sistem upravljanja otpadom i većina generisanog otpada se ne reciklira, već se odlaže na deponije. Već 10 godina se u školama u Bugarskoj uči o recikliranju i zato je budućnost ekologije i održivosti u rukama mlađih generacija.

2. Bugarski zmaj – hala

Inspirisana bugarskim zmajem (hala), dizajnirala sam kantu za smeće da predstavlja simbol zaštite prirodnog okruženja. Baš kao srpska ala, bugarska hala predstavlja prirodu. Ako čovek prkosi prirodi i uništava životnu sredinu, hala će otežati život na našoj planeti.

Ju Jonai – Japan

1. Sistem upravljanja otpadom u Japanu iz Juuovog ugla

U Japanu se nekada masovno koristili proizvodi za jednokratnu upotrebu i to je izazvalo ozbiljan problem kako efikasno upravljati otpadom. Iz tog razloga je Japan preusmerio svoju privredu da uvek reciklira svoj otpad i kroz promociju inicijativa kao što je 3R (recikliraj-ponovo upotrebi-smanji), Japan je uspeo u 2018. godini da poveća za 60% efikasnost upotrebe resursa i smanji za oko 70% zapreminu odloženog otpada u poređenju sa 2000. godinom. Različiti zakoni su doneti u Japanu koji se odnose na upravljanje otpadom. Ukupna generisana količina otpada u 2018. godini je iznosila 4.272 t/godišnje. Ova vrednost se odnosi samo na komunalni otpad, pa ako se uzme u obzir i industrijski otpad, količina generisanog otpad bi iznosila mnogo više. Pored toga, oko 612 tona hrane se odloži kao otpad, što predstavlja kao jednu činiju hrane po osobi.

2. Japanski zmaj iz Juuovog ugla

U drevnom Japanu nije pre postojalo verovanje u zmajeve kao božanstvo. Ova praksa je prvi put uvedena u drugoj polovini perioda Jajoi (300. p.n.e. – 250. n.e.). Osnova japanskog verovanja u božanstvo zmaja jeste zmija i zato su prikazani bez nogu. Zmija predstavlja simbol besmrtnosti jer više puta može skidati i menjati kožu. Ona je simbol plodnosti jer jede pacove koji se hrane pirinčom i ona se poštuje kao vodeno božanstvo jer se slobodno kreće po vodi. Širenjem budizma se proširila i legenda o božanstvu zmaja. Vremenom je ovo božanstvo postalo samo deo od osam miliona bogova u japanskom šintoizmu. Šintoizam veruje da je priroda sveta i da bog postoji na svakom mestu poput planina, reke itd. i on štiti ta mesta. Zmajevi su postali jedni od tih bogova koji štite ta mesta. Veruje se da zmajevi mogu biti dobronamerni prema onima koji se njima odnose sa poštovanjem, dok u suprotnom mogu biti besni i opasni. Metafora kante za smeće je da služi kao zmaj koji štiti životnu sredinu od otpada.

Amol Onlamon – Tajland

1. Sistem upravljanja otpadom u Tajlandu

U pogledu upravljanja otpadom na Tajlandu, vrše se napori da se kod ljudi podigne svest o 3R konceptu: smanjiti, ponovo upotrebiti i reciklirati. Takođe, pokušava da se uvede novi R koncept, odnosno da se otpad pretvori u neki novi koristan proizvod. Ipak, Tajland je šesta zemlja u svetu koja generiše najviše otpada koji završava u okeanu, a veliki deo tog otpada potiče sa kopna. Promene se dešavaju postepeno i postoji nada da će se svest i ponašanje kod ljudi takođe promeniti. Velike promene se očekuju i koncept efikasnog upravljanja otpadom će uskoro postati svakodnevna pojava u tajlandskom društvu.

2. Tajlandski zmaj

Tajlandski vodeni zmaj „Naga“ je zmaj kog karakterišu jedistvene i lepe osobine i detalji na glavi. Ovaj zmaj je velik i zato sam odlučila da moj zmaj kao kanta za otpad mora izgledati veliko i da gornji deo kante mora imati metalne delove koji se uzdižu visoko. Naravno, ti delovi moraju biti praktični. Ljudi mogu ubacivati otpad kroz rupu na njegovoj glavi. Glava zmaja Nage je najmoćniji deo zveri i kada neko ubaci smeće u otvor na njegovoj glavi, ta osoba će biti povezana sa Nagom i predstavljaće vezu između čoveka i reke.

Anastasija Tarajić – Srbija

1. Sistem upravljanja otpadom u Srbiji

Oko 600.000 tona otpada završi na divljim deponijama u Srbiji jer ruralni delovi Srbije nisu pokriveni infrastrukturom za sakupljanje i odvoženje smeća. Srbija ima samo 11 sanitarnih deponija na koje se odloži samo 560 hiljada tona otpada godišnje, a nesanitarnih ili opštinskih smetlišta čak 138, s tim da se samo sanitarne deponije smatraju delom uređenog sistema. Takođe, oko 13 odsto teritorije Srbije, najvećim delom ruralni predeli, nije pokriveno komunalnom uslugom sakupljanja otpada, pa on završava na divljim deponijama, kojih ima oko 3.500. Iz Izveštaja o stanju životne sredine u Republici Srbiji za 2020. godinu se navodi da od oko 2,9 miliona tona otpada koliko se napravi svake godine u Srbiji, oko 600.000 tona se ne prikupi i ne deponuje ni na sanitarnim deponijama, ni na smetlištima. Veliki deo otpada u Srbiji čini na prvom mestu biorazgradivi otpad koji je pogodan za kompostiranje ili/i anaerobnu digestiju, na drugom mestu je otpad pogodan za reciklažu, dok ostatak čini otpad pogodan za energetsku efikasnost. Srbija ozbiljno zaostaje za uporedivim zemljama Centralne i Istočne Evrope praktično u svim fazama ovog procesa – od prikupljanja, preko odlaganja, dok prerada komunalnog otpada jedva da i postoji. Nije razvijen ni sistem za kontrolu i tretman industrijskog otpada, pa tako neretko imamo situacije da se potencijalno veoma opasne materije potpuno nekontrolisano zakopavaju širom zemlje. Na kraju, dosta slabih tačaka ima i u upravljanju ostalim vrstama otpada, kao što su ambalažni, medicinski, građevinski i tzv. posebni tokovi otpada.

2. Srpski zmaj (ala)

Naziv ala potiče od grčke reči halazi, što znači grad (oblik padavina). U Bugarskoj i S. Makedoniji se ona zove hala. Reč ala se u narodnim izrazima takođe označava i ledeni vetar severac koji čupa drveće i odnosi krovove. Zajednički opis za sve ale je da je ona demonsko biće i da je bučna, snažna, proždrljiva i nezasita zver, jer sve što se pred njoj nađe ona pojede. Ale prema predanjima žive među zvezdama, u pećinama, u jezerima, na planinskim vrhovima ili u šumama. One mogu biti dobre i zle. Dobre ale štite ljude i njihove useve, vinograde i voćnjake od zlih ala, ali i nagrađuju dobre ljude i kažnjavaju zle. Protivnici ala su zmajevi, oblačari (ljudi sa posebnim moćima da odbrane svoja imanja od oluja), orlovi i hrišćanski sveci kao što su Sveti Ilija, Sveti Đorđe, Sveti Jovan, Arhanđel Mihajlo itd. Za vreme oluja, ale se bore sa zmajevima koji brane ljudima njive i useve. Tada u njihovoj borbi jedni na druge bljuju vatru i bacaju kamenje (od kojih nastaju munje, gromovi i grad). Kada ala izgubi od zmaja, ona se sklanja u šumu. Ale mogu pobediti zmaja samo ako ih pogode sa crepovima ostavljenim van kuće. Takođe, ale mogu unišiti zmaja kada pronađu drvo gde on živi i spale ga. U nekim pripovetkama, ale se pojavljuju u obliku starije žene koja živi u dalekoj šumi i koja može nagrađivati ili surovo kažnjavati ljude, ako se nađu u njenoj kući. Ovaj opis je sličan opisu Babe Jage. Baš kao bugarska hala, srpska ala predstavlja prirodu. Simbolički, ako čovek prkosi prirodi i uništava životnu sredinu, ala će nam otežati život na našoj planeti.

The Danube Dragon 2022

Basic project information – ENG

Project „The Danube Dragon“ is based on promoting peace, art, and environmental protection. The project aims to stress the importance of perserving the Danube River and directly contribute to improving the state of the Danube coast near Novi Sad, organizing clean-up actions and making applied art installations.

The project was organized in two parts. One part of the project took place in the village of Jazak, which lies within the vicinity of the National Park „Fruška gora“, from July 17th to July 27th, while the second part of the camp took place in Novi Sad from July 28th to July 31st. The camp represented the main project activity. Young participants of the camp came from Serbia, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, Russia, Italy, and Bulgaria, along with three local professional artists.

The international volunteer camp was designed so that participants think together and then build objects, which have both artistic values and practical applications. This was all accomplished with the expert help of three professional artists. During the 12-day work camp, discarded industrial boilers and other stainless steel waste were upcycled into waste bins. A total of 10 bins were made. Each bin represents a dragon. Participants designed these bins based on their cultural heritage and origin. Bins have been made and installed to contribute for a cleaner Danube River bank. The bins were initially installed from July 28th to July 31st, 2022 at the city beach „Štrand“ in Novi Sad. The waste bins will be on display at the Novi Sad Environmental Fair from 28th September to 2nd October.

In addition to the activities of bin designs, the other important activity was the clean-up action at the public beach „Oficirac“, which lies near Novi Sad. Together with the camp leaders, the participants carried out a one-and-a-half-hour long clean-up action at this beach. The beach was full of scattered waste, which visitors of the beach leave regularly behind due to bad habits and insufficient waste bins. The goal of this action was to draw attention to all beach visitors that they must properly dispose of their waste in waste bins, in order to keep the beach clean for all visitors.

Participants had an additional activity to write down exactly what inspired them to design their bins and tell something about the history and mythology of dragons, based on their country of origin and cultural heritage, and about the waste management system in their countries. Their records of dragons and bins and waste management systems are available in Serbian and English.

The project „The Danube Dragon“ was implemented by the Environment Engineering Group, with the support of the project partner Novi Sad Foundation – European Capital of Culture 2022 and Young Researchers of Serbia – Volunteer Service of Serbia. The project was funded by the Novi Sad Foundation – European Capital of Culture 2022 and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Serbia. Also, the project was supported by the Youth Association „OPENS“ and the City of Novi Sad Administration for Sports and Youth.

Words from camp participants about dragons and waste management system from their countries

Giulia Giacomini – Italy

1. Waste management system in Italy

In Italy, the waste management system is different between different places both in how it is planned and in its efficiency. Overall, the performance is decent and according to the last report around 30% of the waste is an organic fraction that is biodegraded and another 30% is material that is recycled. The population is throwing more than half of its garbage in the recycling bins and this number is improving year by year. The problem remains the huge amount of waste that is produced that is not reduced.

2. Italian dragon

In Christian culture, the dragon is considered an evil creature that represents Hell on Earth. However, in Italy, a dragon is also a worthy opponent to be faced with. There are many legends where knights to protect the population is challenged to kill a dragon and get glory and fame. When we call someone a „drago“ in doing something we are expressing our amazement at his exceptional ability.

Mathilda Bertills – Sweden

1. Waste management system in Sweden

In Sweden, we mix fun with knowledge in school and we learn about the recycling process in elementary school. Cities and small towns have recycling stations where you can bring your waste to recycle. We recycle almost everything and if it is not possible, the waste will turn into biofuel. We also separate compostable material from recycled products and grocery stores are today using paper bags for fruits and vegetables that are made to be reused as compostable bags later.

2. Swedish dragon

When choosing the four pieces for my dragon I was thinking of the Nordic mythological dragon the Midgård serpent and how it was so large it could wrap itself around Midgård and bite its own tail. So I chose big pipes to represent its body. But I also wanted to implement the more common Bolibompa dragon and the playfulness it represents is demonstrated in the butterfly. Together with the artist, we placed the pipes to coil around the water heater and open its gap to swallow the caps.

Airi Takizawa – Japan

1. Waste management system in Japan from Airi’s perspective

In the past, the widespread use of disposable products in Japan caused a serious waste problem. Therefore, they have set a goal of a recycling-oriented economy, and through the promotion of the 3Rs, etc., By the year 2018, they have improved resource productivity by about 60% and reduced final disposal volume by about 70% compared to the year 2000. Various laws have been enacted in Japan regarding waste disposal. The total amount of waste generated in 2018 is 4,272 tons per year. This value is only for general waste, so if industrial waste is included, a much larger amount of waste would be counted. In addition, food loss amounts to about 612 tons per year, which translates into about one bowl of food per person per day.

2. Japanese dragon from Airi’s perspective

I made a Japanese water dragon using four metal parts together with a metal boiler. The dragon expresses in this artistic entity the cycles of nature. Belief in a water dragon can determine one’s fate, depending on whether the dragon is good or bad. If the dragon has good intentions, we can express gratitude to it, and if the dragon has bad intentions, it can lead to illnesses. People pray to the dragon and show him hospitality to prevent floods.

Ana Kovylina – Russia

1. Waste management system in Russia

Russia is currently on its way to finding and developing new ways of waste management and recycling. Only 7% of the trash is being recycled. The government doesn’t support recycling enough, as a result, the majority of the population doesn’t sort the trash since there are no containers and no education or penalties associated with sorting the garbage. Most of the recycling companies are private initiatives and operate in bigger cities.

2. Russian dragon

In Russian culture, the dragon is represented by Zmei Gorinych. His name means Serpent of the Mountain, and he is a pure power of wild nature. Traditionally,  Zmei has 3 or more heads, breathes fire, and knows how to fly. He is an evil character who steals women. Sometimes he can be disguised as a human, too. Only a knight (bogatyr) can defeat the beast and restore peace.

Mariyana Goranova – Bulgaria

1. Waste management system in Bulgaria

Bulgaria still doesn’t have a developed waste management system and most of the generated waste is disposed of in landfills. For 10 years in Bulgaria pupils learn about recycling in school, so that’s why the future of ecology and sustainability is in the hands of young generations.

2. Bulgarian dragon (hala)

Like the Serbian ala, the Bulgarian Hala represents nature. If people defile nature and destroy the environment, life on our planet will become difficult.

Yu Yonai – Japan

1. Waste management system in Japan from Yu’s perspective

In the past, the widespread use of disposable products in Japan caused a serious waste problem. Therefore, they have set a goal of a recycling-oriented economy, and through the promotion of the 3Rs, etc., By the year 2018, they have improved resource productivity by about 60% and reduced final disposal volume by about 70% compared to the year 2000. Various laws have been enacted in Japan regarding waste disposal. The total amount of waste generated in 2018 is 4,272 tons per year. This value is only for general waste, so if industrial waste is included, a much larger amount of waste would be counted. In addition, food loss amounts to about 612 tons per year, which translates into about one bowl of food per person per day.

2. Japanese dragon from Yu’s perspective

There was no belief in dragons as divinity before in ancient Japan. This practice was first introduced in the second half of the Yayoi period (300 BC – 250 AD). The basis of the Japanese belief in the dragon deity is the snake, which is why they are depicted without legs. The snake is a symbol of immortality because it can shed and change its skin many times. The snake is a symbol of fertility because it eats rats that feed on rice and it is revered as a water deity because it moves freely through the water. With the spread of Buddhism, the legend of the snake deity also spread. Over time, this deity became only part of the eight million gods in Japanese Shintoism. Shinto believes that nature is sacred and god exists in every place like mountains, rivers, etc. and it protects those places. Dragons became one of those gods that protect those places. It is believed that dragons can be benevolent to those who treat them with respect, while otherwise, they can be furious and dangerous. The idea of ​​a trash can is to serve as a dragon that protects the environment from waste.

Amol Onlamoon – Thailand

1. Waste management system in Thailand

In terms of waste management in Thailand, efforts are being made to raise people’s awareness following the 3R concept: reduce, reuse and recycle. It is also trying to introduce a new R concept, which is to turn waste into a new useful product. However, Thailand is the sixth country in the world that generates the most waste that ends up in the ocean, and much of that waste comes from land. Changes are happening gradually and there is hope that people’s awareness and behavior will also change. Big changes are expected and the concept of efficient waste management will soon become a daily occurrence in Thai society.

2. Thai dragon

The Thai water dragon „Naga“ is a dragon characterized by unique and beautiful features and details on its head. This dragon is big and so I decided that my dragon as a waste bin had to look big and the top of the bin had to have metal parts that go up high. Of course, those parts must be practical. People can put waste through the hole in his head. The head of the Naga dragon is the most powerful part of the beast and when someone puts garbage into the opening on its head, that person will be connected to the Naga and will represent the link between man and the river.

Anastasija Tarajić – Serbia

1. Waste management system in Serbia

About 600,000 tons of waste end up in illegal landfills in Serbia because rural parts of Serbia are not covered by the infrastructure for garbage collection and removal. Serbia has only 11 sanitary landfills, where only 560,000 tons of waste are disposed of annually, and as many as 138 unsanitary or municipal landfills, with only sanitary landfills being considered part of the regulated system. Also, about 13 percent of the territory of Serbia, mostly rural areas, is not covered by the municipal waste collection service, so it ends up in illegal landfills, of which there are about 3,500. According to the Report on the state of the environment in the Republic of Serbia for 2020, it is stated that of the approximately 2.9 million tons of waste produced each year in Serbia, approximately 600,000 tons are not collected and deposited either in sanitary landfills or landfills. A large part of waste in Serbia is primarily biodegradable waste suitable for composting and/or anaerobic digestion, second is waste suitable for recycling, while the rest is waste suitable for energy efficiency. Serbia seriously lags behind comparable countries of Central and Eastern Europe in practically all stages of this process – from collection to disposal, while the processing of municipal waste hardly exists. The system for control and treatment of industrial waste has not been developed either, so we often have situations where potentially very dangerous substances are buried completely uncontrolled all over the country. Finally, there are many weak points in the management of other types of waste, such as packaging, medical, construction, and so-called. special waste streams.

2. Serbian dragon (ala)

The name ala comes from the Greek word „chalazi“ (χαλάζι), which means hailstorm. In Bulgaria and North Macedonia, it is called Hala. In folk expressions, the word Ala also refers to the cold northerly wind that uproots trees and carries away roofs. The common description for all Ala’s is that it is a demonic being and that it is a noisy, strong, voracious, and insatiable beast because it eats everything that comes her way. But according to tradition, they live among the stars, in caves, in lakes, on mountain tops, or in forests. They can be good or bad. Good Ala’s protect people and their crops, vineyards, and orchards from evil Ala’s, but they also reward good people and punish bad ones. The opponents of Ala’s are dragons, cloud-bearers (people with special powers to defend their properties from storms), eagles, and Christian saints such as Saint Elijah, Saint George, Saint John, Archangel Michael, etc. During storms, Ala’s fight dragons that protect people’s fields and crops. Then in their fight, they spit fire and throw stones at each other (from which lightning, thunder, and hail are created). When Ala loses to the dragon, she hides in the forest. But they can only defeat the dragon if they are hit with the tiles left outside the house. Also, Ala’s can destroy a dragon when they find the tree where it lives and burns it. In some stories, Ala appears in the form of an elderly woman who lives in a distant forest and who can reward or punish people cruelly if they find themselves in her house. This description is similar to that of Baba Yaga. Just like the Bulgarian Hala, the Serbian Ala represents nature. If man defies nature and destroys the environment, Ala will make life on our planet difficult.