Plastic-clogged rivers worsen flooding in Albania

As floodwaters receded in parts of Albania on Tuesday, officials and residents warned that rivers clogged with plastic waste had intensified recent flooding and could carry pollution into the Adriatic Sea.

Heavy rains since early January have flooded around 14,000 hectares of land, damaged about 1,200 homes and killed at least one person, authorities said. While water levels have begun to fall, concerns remain over damaged dams and debris-filled waterways.

Officials and environmental groups said plastic waste and accumulated sediment in riverbeds obstructed water flow, worsening floods as rivers overflowed. Residents in coastal areas described riverbeds “completely choked” with plastic.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of trash-filled rivers on social media, blaming illegal dumping. The government has faced criticism from opposition parties over flood management and its refusal to declare a state of natural disaster.

Environmental experts warned that plastic waste could be swept into the Adriatic Sea, following previous storms that polluted coastlines as far as Croatia. Albania recycles only about 15% of its plastic waste, experts say, increasing flood risks as extreme weather linked to climate change becomes more frequent.

A 2024 World Bank report ranks Albania among Europe’s most vulnerable countries to climate-related disasters.