NAME

Kilino Stojkov

TITLE

CEO, Connect Clean Roma Group

LOCATION

Novo Milosevo, Serbia

ABOUT

Kilino Stojkov is the CEO of Connect Clean Roma Group, an organization dedicated to eliminating harmful practices in informal recycling. Kilino has transformed the practice of burning cables to extract copper – once a common and dangerous activity among informal waste collectors – into a formalized system of safe and eco-friendly recycling.

Under his leadership, Connect Clean Roma Group established a recycling centre that integrates over 30 informal waste collectors into a sustainable process. This initiative eliminates the release of carcinogenic substances such as furans and dioxins, significantly reducing environmental pollution and improving health outcomes in the community. 

MOTIVATIONS

“I come from the Roma community, the largest national minority in Europe, and a family that has dedicated its entire life to waste collection. From an early age, I witnessed firsthand how difficult and physically demanding this work is, as well as the crucial role that informal waste collectors play in the recycling industry. Despite their contributions, they often face harsh working conditions, social stigma, and a lack of opportunities for economic advancement.

Growing up in this environment, I became deeply aware of the urgent need for safer and more efficient recycling technologies, especially for cable recycling. Before launching this project, burning cables to extract copper was a widespread practice among informal collectors, causing severe air pollution and serious health risks. Through the establishment of a structured recycling process, we have significantly reduced this harmful practice, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative that protects both people and the environment.

Today, I am actively working on regional and global initiatives to create systematic solutions for sustainable waste management. My goal is to ensure that informal waste collectors are recognized, supported, and integrated into the formal recycling economy while promoting cleaner, safer recycling methods worldwide.”

IMPACT

• Recycled over 100 tonnes of cables using 100 per cent eco-friendly methods in just one year.

• Reduced the need for mining approximately 80 tonnes of new copper, supporting resource conservation.

• Transitioned more than 30 families to secure, formal employment in the recycling sector.

• Significantly improved health conditions for collectors by eliminating exposure to harmful chemicals.

• Reduced environmental pollution, benefiting local ecosystems and the broader community.

• Achieved a revenue of €250,000 in 2023, demonstrating the financial viability of sustainable practices.

CHALLENGES 

• Overcoming the deeply entrenched informal practice of cable burning.

• Building trust within the Roma community to encourage the transition to formalised work.

• Securing adequate funding to expand the initiative’s operations and reach.

GOALS 

• Expanding the recycling centre’s capacity to include more informal waste collectors.

• Encouraging neighbouring communities to adopt similar eco-friendly recycling systems.

• Strengthening collaboration with local authorities and businesses to formalise informal labour on a wider scale.

• Raising awareness about the dangers of cable burning and promoting sustainable alternatives.

ADVICE 

“My leadership journey began within my own community, where I witnessed the struggles of informal waste collectors firsthand. Coming from a Roma family that has been involved in waste collection for generations, I understood both the challenges and the opportunities in this field. However, I also saw the urgent need for change – especially to eliminate harmful practices like cable burning, which posed severe health and environmental risks.

When I founded Connect Clean Roma Group, my goal was to create a system that values and integrates informal collectors as key players in the circular economy. Leading this initiative has taught me several important lessons:

1. Building relationships within the community and gaining the trust of informal collectors was the first and most critical step. People will only adopt new methods if they believe in their benefits and feel included in the process.

2. Introducing safer and more efficient recycling technologies has been key to replacing hazardous methods. Investing in innovative solutions ensures long-term impact and environmental protection.

3. No single organization can achieve systemic change alone. Partnering with businesses, policymakers, and international organizations has been crucial in scaling our impact and advocating for better policies.

4. Providing training, legal support, and financial inclusion for informal collectors has allowed them to transition from vulnerable workers to recognized professionals in the recycling sector.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Website: https://ccrg.rs/granulisani-bakar/
LinkedIn: Kilino Stojkov