The initiative, set to commence in April, symbolizes the beginning of a concerted effort to eradicate unauthorized waste sites across borders, according to a statement by Polish Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska.
The decision is part of a broader dialogue with German authorities, aiming to facilitate the recognition and repatriation of waste originally produced in German factories.
"We are in contact with representatives of the German government ... so that we can execute the same procedure that took place in Tuplice," Hennig-Kloska emphasized, as quoted by state broadcaster Polish Radio.
Deputy Environment Minister Anita Sowińska highlighted the environmental and health risks associated with the waste, primarily composed of post-zinc slag. "The costs are on the German side," she stated, and pointed out that the waste had been illegally imported into Poland as early as 2015.
This bilateral agreement follows Poland's 2023 complaint to the Court of Justice of the European Union against Germany for not fulfilling its obligations under EU law to remove 35,000 tons of waste that had been illicitly transferred into Polish territory.
The complaint covers waste across seven locations, including Tuplice, and criticizes Germany for years of inaction that has posed ongoing environmental threats.
In addition to addressing the immediate concern of illegal waste, Poland is also focusing on broader environmental protection efforts. Polish Radio quoted Hennig-Kloska as saying that significant funding has been directed towards the elimination of unauthorized dumpsites within Poland, including the allocation of PLN 153 million from the general reserve, and the implementation of the "Phoenix" program, aimed at enhancing waste management and rehabilitating degraded areas.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.