Hidden traces in the soil: How BTU brings environmental crime to light!

The illegal dumping of rubbish and construction waste in forests is a growing environmental problem, according to RBB. Woodland areas near urban regions, such as Berlin, are particularly affected, as waste is often transported there and dumped illegally.

If there is a significant environmental hazard, such as mineral oil seeping into the ground, this constitutes a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment. Smaller quantities of household waste, on the other hand, are considered an administrative offence and are punished with fines.

Harry Jäkel, former head of the Serious Environmental Crime Unit at the Brandenburg State Criminal Police Office (LKA), explains that illegal dumping often takes place via complex chains of subcontractors. At the end of these chains are often individuals who receive little remuneration for proper disposal and therefore attempt to make a profit illegally. This makes it more difficult to track down the perpetrators

The clean-up of illegal fly-tipping incurs enormous annual costs, which are also borne by taxpayers through waste disposal charges. A new EU directive due to come into force this year provides for higher penalties and increased funding for enforcement.

Mineral oil was detected in the soil samples analysed by Prof. Thomas Fischer, which constitutes a criminal offence. Remediation of the affected sites, for example by replacing the contaminated soil, would be complex and very costly and must be borne by the perpetrators.

You can find the RBB report on this website.