Poland’s waste revolution sees recycled materials dumped in forests

Low profit margins experienced by waste disposal companies following changes in Poland’s recycling laws have led to more rubbish being dumped in Poland’s forests, the local media reported, July 2.

“The rubbish revolution; recycled materials are being dumped in forests ,” Polish daily, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, reported.

Landfill owners have indicated that less waste is reaching now reaching landfill sites. Local municipalities took over responsibility for waste disposal on July 1. From this date local authorities were required to choose contractors from public tenders. However, a lot of companies are reportedly struggling to stay afloat and dumping waste as a result. Waste is also being reclassified, which lowers costs from PLN 300 to 20 per ton.

“Companies that are not delivering mixed waste and recycling to the regional waste processing centres face first offence fines between PLN 500 and PLN 2,000,” a Ministry of Environment representative, Gazeta Prawna.

Despite the ministry indicating stricter regulations, current procedures are too lenient to deter these activities. The government is planning GPS tracking, but municipalities are not keen to implement the changes due to the extra work and funds required.