Why is illegal waste transport still doing well?

We have already written about a Lithuanian haulier who paid a high price for knowingly taking a risk by carrying out illegal waste transports. However, there are companies that, tempted by the vision of profits, operate in the dark, not realising the need for proper authorisation. As a result, only the forwarding company profits, getting rid of the cargo and the responsibility, which is transferred to the carrier. Why do these situations keep recurring?

Contact for waste transport permits

e.nadolna@ekologistyka24.pl , +48 881 045 376

j.blazewicz@ekologistyka24.pl , +48 500 867 153

Is Poland still the dustbin of Europe?

The claim that Poland is the dustbin of Europe has at one time appeared in public debate and in the media in connection with a problem which, it was claimed, was overwhelming the Polish authorities. However, such a generalisation is exaggerated. Indeed, the authorities have been taking action to counter the illegal practice - from tighter regulations, to increasing the number of inspections at borders and waste treatment sites. However, the scale of the problem indicates that the challenge is still significant.

Illegal transport of waste to Poland - reasons

The fact that a particular waste shipment is illegal is more often due to ignorance than to intentional action. Despite the information campaigns and actions of the Polish government, foreign companies are still trying to bring waste into our country only on the basis of documents provided for in EU regulations. Some hauliers actually have no idea about the changes that have taken place in Poland after 2018. Others, however, count on luck, which most often ends with serious consequences. A Lithuanian haulier found this out, who admittedly had to bear the high costs of his decision, but with our help he will be able to carry out his next transport legally and without fear. What prompts companies from the Baltic States to transport waste illegally to Poland?

This year also saw the foiling of an attempt to illegally import waste into Poland. As reported by Portal Komunalny, in March, 13 truckloads of waste with a total weight of over 300 tonnes were seized. The documents showed that the transport from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia was for glass cullet. In reality, the trailers contained mixed waste of packaging, textiles and footwear. Such a serious infringement carries a fine of more than PLN 400,000 (almost €100,000). More than PLN 260 thousand for incorrect declarations in SENT and more than PLN 150 thousand for lack of notification documents.

Illegal waste transport - Germany

Carriers from the Baltic countries are using every means to get into Europe. While they may be able to deceive the Polish authorities, they do not have such an easy passage in Germany. The German road authorities, such as the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM, replacing BAG as of January 2023), carry out regular checks on hauliers to ensure they have the necessary permits. In the course of these checks, it is quite common for false permits to be discovered. Hauliers provide false data in these or fabricate registration numbers on the required orange forms. In such situations, they can be detained for investigation and fined. According to the German Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz, it is an offence to provide incomplete or false information about the permit held is punishable by a fine of up to EUR 10 000.

We are aware of a case where a haulier working with us was the only one to pass such an inspection. This is because he showed a valid and legal German waste transport permit. This was in contrast to other drivers who had stopped at the same car park. Out of more than twenty vehicles, only two were allowed to go free, as their drivers were properly prepared and their documents were in order. They were employed by a haulier to whom the we helped to obtain the relevant permit.

How to improve the situation and eradicate illegal waste transport?

We have previously written about why illegal waste shipments continue to reach Poland. Although this phenomenon does not only affect our country, as Germany and other EU countries also face it. What can be done to further reduce or curb this practice, which is still thriving thanks to corruption and ignorance of regulations? How can it be tackled?

It is also extremely important that, as a haulier, you do not succumb to offers of easy profit offered by freight forwarders. They claim that transporting waste does not require additional authorisations. However, during a roadside check, it turns out that such a permit was necessary. Then the haulage company "magically" disappears, leaving the haulier on his own. Just as reliable contractors check the hauliers and inform them of what they expect, the haulier has the right, or even the duty, to check how reliable the client with whom he wants to cooperate is. To avoid problems, it is also advisable to keep a cool head and obtain the necessary permits in advance. With thousands of permits issued and more than a decade of experience, we are happy to assist any carrier in obtaining the necessary authorisations.