The Kaunas District Court on July 9, 2026, made a decision awarding more than 2.5 million EUR in environmental damage compensation to the Environmental Protection Department from the bankrupt UAB “Jukneda”. In a previous court decision, more than 2.7 million EUR was also awarded from the former company director D.J. The court decision was not appealed and became final.
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This decision concluded more than a decade of legal proceedings related to the activities of UAB “Jukneda” and the illegal storage of waste. During the case review in different court instances, the responsibility of the company and persons related to its activities was addressed, and some civil claims were transferred for consideration under civil procedure.
Illegal storage of hazardous waste
The case established that at the UAB “Jukneda” site at Svirno St. 6, Eigirgalos village, Kaunas district, a large amount of hazardous and non-hazardous waste was stored illegally. The company did not have a hazardous waste management license, and according to the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control permit it held, it was not authorized to store or dispose of hazardous waste at this location.
Various hazardous wastes were stored on the premises, including oils, petroleum products, paint and varnish waste, waste containing heavy metals and other hazardous chemical substances. The court found that some waste was poured onto the soil, as well as into pits and a nearby pond, resulting in soil contamination with hazardous substances and damage to the land, water, animals, and plants.
Data collected by Environmental Protection Department officers, expert conclusions, laboratory test results, and other case materials confirmed the illegal handling of hazardous waste and the extent of environmental damage. According to the court’s assessment, the extent of environmental damage and long-term consequences were also confirmed by conducted ecogeological studies.
Legal proceedings
The activities of UAB “Jukneda” came under the scrutiny of law enforcement and environmental protection authorities in the mid-previous decade. A criminal process was conducted due to identified violations, and the Environmental Protection Department sought compensation from responsible persons for the damage caused.
In 2021, the Kaunas District Court issued a verdict in the criminal case, which was later reviewed by the Lithuanian Court of Appeal. In 2023, the Lithuanian Court of Appeal awarded 250,224 EUR from the former company director D.J. to the Environmental Protection Department for environmental damage caused by the crime, and regarding the remaining part of the civil claim, recognized the Department’s right to satisfaction and referred the matter for consideration under civil procedure.
Further considering civil claims, on May 15, 2025, the Kaunas District Court made another decision on compensation for environmental damage and other losses. The court found that the environmental damage resulted from illegal actions related to UAB “Jukneda” activities and ruled on the civil liability of specific defendants. From the former UAB “Jukneda” director D.J., 380,351.32 EUR was awarded for environmental management losses and 2,718,707.05 EUR for environmental damage caused.
After appealing the mentioned decision and the Lithuanian Court of Appeal returning part of the case for re-examination, on July 9, 2026, the Kaunas District Court examined the remaining claims and awarded 2,546,702.62 EUR in environmental damage compensation from UAB “Jukneda” to the Environmental Protection Department. The court also ruled on compensation for losses incurred by the Kaunas district municipality administration.
The decision was not appealed within the prescribed period, thus it became final and concluded the long-standing legal dispute.
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