Olive-mill residues represent an important environmental problem in Mediterranean E U countries, the main world producers of olive oil. The management of olive residues in mast countries) is still not properly regulated. Their high phenol, lipid and organic compound content turn these residues into phytotoxic and polluting materials. The olive oil producing companies are very often conservative family based small and medium enterprises, with limited access to information on regular waste management, low investments possibilities and the need to be competitive against larger mills. They are frequently faced with increasingly restrictive environmental legislations and might be forced to close due to inability (both in terms of finance and skills) to treat their residues properly. These problems are likely to increase also in Croatia with its expected accession to the EU. In this article the recent research study performed rising CATI method, on a sample of olive producers from The Istrian region (Croatia) is presented. The survey was aimed at collecting information on olive processing and residue quantities in the regions as well as on recognizing the best practices of olive residue management in Croatia, with special emphasis on using olive produced residues for energy purposes. The study is performed in the framework of EU project "Market of Olive Residues for Energy (M.O.R.E.)" supported by Intelligent Energy Europe programme. The main objective of this project is the creation of. stable olive-residues-to-energy market in regions of the project partners' countries (Italy, Greece, Spain, Slovenia and Croatia). The project is expected to improve olive oil waste management, increasing the rise of renewable enemy, bringing in innovation and creating new income opportunities.
