Croatia is the only country in the European Union without a waste incinerator, leading to increasing issues with waste management. Following a recent controversy in Gospić, support for the construction of waste-to-energy plants is growing. This comes despite public concerns regarding the potential environmental and health impacts of such facilities. The situation highlights a significant gap in Croatia’s waste infrastructure compared to the rest of Europe, where approximately 500 incinerators are already in operation. The debate centers around balancing the need for modern waste disposal solutions with the protection of public health and the environment. The incident in Gospić has intensified the discussion and put pressure on authorities to address the mounting waste problem. A solution remains elusive amid conflicting priorities and public apprehension.