Elektronski otpad ima opasnu materiju; štaviše, odvojeno sakupljanje je potrebno.

to be

Breakdown of Elektronski otpad ima opasnu materiju; štaviše, odvojeno sakupljanje je potrebno.

• imati: to have
• potreban: necessary; needed
• elektronski otpad: electronic waste

Questions & Answers about Elektronski otpad ima opasnu materiju; štaviše, odvojeno sakupljanje je potrebno.

Why is it elektronski otpad, not električni otpad?

Because elektronski means electronic, while električni means electric / electrical.

So: elektronski otpad = electronic waste
električni uređaj = electric device/appliance

For things like computers, phones, cables, and similar discarded devices, elektronski otpad is the normal expression. Also, otpad is a mass noun, so it is naturally singular here.

Why is there no word for the or a in this sentence?

Serbian does not have articles like English the and a/an.

That means nouns such as otpad, materiju, and sakupljanje appear without any article, and the exact meaning is understood from context.

So opasnu materiju could correspond to: a dangerous material/substance
or
the dangerous material/substance

depending on the situation. This is completely normal in Serbian.

Why does the sentence say opasnu materiju?

Because opasnu materiju is the direct object of ima.

The verb imati = to have, and its direct object normally goes in the accusative case.

Basic form: opasna materija = nominative singular

After ima: opasnu materiju = accusative singular

Both words change because the adjective must agree with the noun: opasna materija
opasnu materiju