Legal Challenges and Regional Cooperation in the V4+ Countries

Legal Challenges and Regional Cooperation in the V4+ Countries Presented by: Mr. Uhri and Mrs. Orsolya Date: April 27, 2025 Challenges Of Illegal Waste Dumping - Environmental impact • Pollutes soil and water sources • Hinders recycling and resource recovery • Threatens biodiversity - • Increases waste management costs • Disproportionately affects • Disadvantaged communities - Solutions • Strengthen legal frameworks and enforcement • Promote awareness and collaboration • Leverage technological innovations (e.g., waste tracking systems) - Economic and social impact V4+ cooperation • Comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks • Sharing best practices to improve waste management • Enhance regional cooperation for a sustainable future Global Waste Generation - Challenges and projections for future management • The world generates 20 billion tonnes of waste annually. • 2 billion tonnes of municipal waste, expected to reach 3.4 billion by 2050. • Waste will increase by 40% in low/middle-income countries, and by 19% in high-income countries. • Uncontrolled landfills are common in many regions. • Organized waste collection is often lacking, especially in rural, low-income areas. • In Europe, the EU aims to reduce landfilling to 10% and achieve 65% recycling by 2035. • Some countries are on track, but others need tailored solutions. Waste Management In The European Union Ambitious objectives • Europe boasts the most complex and organized waste management systems, The European Union formulated the Circular Economy Package. • This package sets a new waste management target for landfilling by municipal solid waste of 10% by 2035 and a recycling efficiency target of 65% Challenges • Developmental and infrastructural differences • Costly and recycling processes with a high ecological footprint • Lack of recycling capacity • Illegal waste and material exports (inside and outside the Union) The EU Waste Framework Directive Goals - - • Protect environment and health • Increase recycling, manage hazardous waste - • Ban uncontrolled waste • Apply effective penalties Litter • Prevent and clean up litter • Improve waste systems and awareness 2018 amendments Illegal dumping - • • Stop illegal dumping Promote recycling and reuse • - Stronger regulations 2023 amendments • Focus on textiles and food • Linked to European Green Deal General Context Of Illegal Dumping And Waste Management Activities - Improper and environmentally harmful management of waste, which is against the law of any country, is considered illegal waste management - We can define illegal waste management activities or illegal waste dumping where the level of waste management development in a region or country allows these definitions to be justified - Consequently, the concept and legal interpretation of illegal waste management may vary among different regions and countries - In least-developed countries, the concept of illegal dumping is almost meaningless - Many places lack basic waste management services and infrastructure. These countries almost exclusively have unprotected landfills that are often operated by the informal sector - Illegal waste disposal can be effectively countered in countries where a suitable framework is in place. This framework includes appropriate logistical and infrastructural backgrounds, environmental awareness among citizens, and legislation. Regulatory Approaches - Czech Republic • - Poland • - Environmental police and local authorities manage enforcement. Environmental inspectorates lead regulation. Hungary • - • Mixed role of waste management offices, disaster authorities, and police. • 'Fairness' principle for disadvantaged landowners. Slovakia National and local authorities involved in regulation. - Slovenia • - Public service providers assist in waste removal. Common challenge • Hard to trace offenders, placing the burden on landowners for cleanup. Criminal Law Provisions Czech Republic • Criminal prosecution for environmental damage or public health risks due to illegal dumping, particularly hazardous waste. • - - Severe cases (e.g., large-scale contamination) lead to fines or imprisonment. Poland • Penalties up to 10 years imprisonment for hazardous waste dumping. • Fines or up to 5 years imprisonment for unintentional offenses. Hungary • Imprisonment from 1 to 8 years for illegal hazardous waste disposal. • WasteRadar app supports public reporting and enforcement. - • Strict penalties for unauthorized waste handling, emphasizing compliance with Slovakia environmental laws. - Slovenia • Harsh penalties up to 12 years imprisonment for hazardous waste dumping. Civil Law Practices Two aspects - Czech Republic • • Article 415: Everyone is obliged to act in a way that their activities do not cause damage to health, property, nature, or the environment. • Article 420: Liability for damages: everyone is liable for compensating damages resulting from an infringement. Affected parties can claim compensation directly from the offender under civil law. - Slovenia • Environmental Protection Act: The polluter is solely liable for • costs related to preventive or remedial measures in case of environmental damage. • Civil law follows general liability rules, requiring proof of damage, causation, and responsibility to claim compensation. - Common Principle • Both legal frameworks stress preventive measures and financial liability for the damage caused. Good Practices - - - Czech Republic • Don't throw it away" initiative under the Waste Reduction Program. • Encourages dropping off usable items to reduce illegal dumping. - Poland • Satellite monitoring and GIS to identify illegal waste sites. • Sentinel satellites provide real-time images for rapid action. Hungary • "Clean up the Country!" project focuses on illegal waste removal. • WasteRadar app allows citizens to report illegal dumping. Slovenia • National Register of Illegal Waste Sites to track and manage dumping. • Systematic tool for assessing and addressing the issue.