From a social media post to a pile of waste in the forest
During a preventive raid, a large amount of dumped waste was found in the Gulbinai forestry of the Kuršėnai regional division of VMU – approximately 5 m³ preliminarily. While inspecting the trash, documents were found that could help identify the origin of the waste and the persons involved in the incident. The documents were collected, and the Environmental Protection Department (AAD) officers were informed about the find.
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An administrative offense investigation was initiated regarding the incident. During it, preliminary circumstances were revealed, uncovering an unusual path of the waste to the state forest.
According to available data, the owners of the trash, residents of the Skuodas district, ordered waste removal services through the social network “Facebook.” The hired persons promised to deliver the waste to legally operating waste managers. However, workers at the waste collection site in the Skuodas district did not accept some household and hazardous waste, so the persons hired by the residents of the Skuodas district decided to dispose of the trash in the forest. The waste was transported more than a hundred kilometers and dumped in the Gedintys forest in the Šiauliai district.
This story stands out for its geography: the waste was taken from the Skuodas district, transported using a minibus rented in the Joniškis district, and disposed of in forests supervised by the Kuršėnai regional division of VMU in the Šiauliai district.
The investigation of the waste found in the Gedintys forest is ongoing by AAD officers. Final responsibility will be determined after evaluating all circumstances collected during the investigation.
Damage to nature and additional burden on foresters
Waste left in the forest not only spoils the landscape but can also pollute the soil and groundwater, pose a threat to wild animals, increase the risk of fires, and cause long-term damage to the entire forest ecosystem. Hazardous waste thrown out together with household waste can pose a particularly great threat. Due to the long decomposition period, waste particles can enter the food chain, alter the forest microclimate conditions, and the waste itself can become a favorable environment for various pests to breed. Moreover, illegally formed waste piles can encourage others to litter in the same place.
VMU reminds that collecting and managing illegally dumped waste requires additional human and financial resources, which could be allocated to direct forest maintenance. Therefore, not only responsible waste transfer to legitimate managers is important but also public attentiveness.
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If waste is found dumped in the forest, it can be reported to the nearest VMU regional division, and violations can also be recorded on the “I Manage Lithuania” platform.
If persons are seen dumping waste in the forest, it is advisable to report to the emergency number 112 and, if it can be done safely, record the license plate of the vehicle used to deliver the waste.
Responsible waste management starts with choosing the service provider
To avoid littering and ensure that waste does not end up in forests or other inappropriate places, it is important to responsibly choose the waste removal service provider. This is especially relevant when searching for services on social networks, classified portals, or various internet groups – a service advertisement or attractive price does not guarantee that the collected waste will be legally managed.
When choosing a waste removal service provider, it is worth clarifying who exactly provides the service, where the waste will be delivered, and whether the receiving waste manager has the right to handle that type of waste. It is also advisable to keep documents of the order, correspondence with the service provider, payment, and, if possible, waste transfer documents. This is especially important when negotiating services on social networks or other informal channels.
Offers should be evaluated cautiously when it is unclear who actually provides the service, no information is given about the waste delivery location, or there is a refusal to provide documents confirming the service and waste transfer. An unusually low service price can also be a signal to further investigate where the waste will be delivered.
Green, construction, bulky, and other waste must be delivered to designated collection sites or handed over to waste managers authorized to handle the respective type of waste. The fact that the waste is of natural origin, such as branches or wood, does not mean it can be left in the forest or other natural environments.
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