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Magdeburg (dpa / sa) - More and more often one can observe illegal garbage dumps in Saxony-Anhalt.
Whether on dirt roads, in wooded areas, on fallow land or in ruins: the cases of illegal waste disposal have been increasing in the country for years, as a survey by the German press agency showed.
In the Salzlandkreis, the number of registered cases of illegal waste disposal almost tripled between 2016 and 2020.
714 cases were noted in the past year.
In the Mansfeld-Südharz district, too, according to the district administration, there has been a steady increase in the number of illegally deposited rubbish in recent years.
The waste management industry in Saxony-Anhalt South, which covers the Burgenland district, has also recorded a significant increase in cases of illegal waste disposal in recent years.
While around 230 illegal waste notifications were recorded in 2015, there were more than 580 in the past year.
So far, around 200 cases have been recorded for the current year.
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In a statement by the city council in Dessau-Roßlau, it was recently stated: As in many other cities, there is “a considerable problem with illegally and carelessly disposed of waste”. According to the city council, the number of cases involving the removal of illegal waste deposits increased from 330 in 2014 to 530 in 2019. Without countermeasures, a further increase in such behavior can be expected.
But how is this development fueled? In the eyes of the rural districts and independent cities, there is by no means a lack of proper disposal routes. Rather, among other things, short-lived consumer products, the increase in mail-order business, the convenience of some citizens and probably a lack of social skills or control contribute to this development, it said in the declaration of the Dessau city council. Even the low probability of getting caught, let the inhibition threshold sink for many.
In Halle in the past year, proceedings were initiated against the polluters in only 17 cases of around 1,000 illegal waste deposits.
Of this already small proportion, only about a third could ultimately be clarified.
In Mansfeld-Südharz, too, “a causer can only very rarely be determined in a court of law”.
The same applies to the Jerichower Land.
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If the investigations remain unsuccessful, as in the majority of cases, the costs incurred will be borne by the taxpayer or the waste fee payer.
The financial burden on the general public is not insignificant.
According to a spokesman for the Salzlandkreis, the disposal price was 95 euros per ton at the end of last year, but a few months later it is 144 euros.
In addition to the formal illegality and the visual impairment of the landscape, illegally disposed of waste sometimes represents a significant environmental or health risk. For example, by releasing water-polluting substances such as waste oils, paints, electrical appliances.
In addition, there are often carcinogenic substances from components made from asbestos or artificial mineral fibers.
The state of Saxony-Anhalt wants to counteract the escalating development in some districts with a catalog of fines introduced a few days ago and deter potential polluters with increased fines.
The new requirements created a uniform and transparent framework, said a spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Environment.
Until now, the amount of the fine was left to the municipalities and cities.
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Compared to other federal states, Saxony-Anhalt is taking tough action with the new fines.
According to the new regulation, a discarded cigarette butt should result in a fine of between 20 and 40 euros.
In neighboring Thuringia, the same offense costs between 10 and 30 euros under state law.
In addition, the country estimates the illegal disposal of household garbage bags up to 400 euros.
Washing machines illegally dumped in the forest can result in fines of up to 700 euros.
It becomes particularly expensive with asbestos-containing construction waste.
Fines of up to 15,000 euros are outstanding here.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210515-99-605945 / 2