Goslar under pressure: More and more garbage is defacing the historic city!

Goslar under pressure: More and more garbage is defacing the historic city!

In the picturesque town of Goslar in the Harz Mountains, which is known for its historical sights and hiking trails, there is dissatisfaction among residents. Citizens are increasingly angry about the increasing pollution of their surroundings. An impressive example of this is provided by a woman from the Harz Mountains who posted pictures of various garbage dumps in a Facebook group. You can see, among other things, two garbage bags on the side of the road, a laundry basket and even a chair, both of which are lying in a stream. These pictures show how far the illegal dumping of waste has already progressed.

As news38.de reports, illegal dumping of garbage is not only a nuisance, but is also considered an environmental or administrative offense. This has serious consequences, as the law stipulates strict penalties for proven improper disposal. These include fines and prison sentences of up to five years. The damage to soil and water caused by improper waste disposal poses a significant threat to our environment.

Legal framework

The classification of such violations depends on the seriousness of the offense and is strictly regulated by law. Administrative offenses, as defined in environmental law, are in most cases punished according to the relevant laws. These laws include, among others, the Federal Immission Control Act, the Water Resources Act and the Circular Economy Act. Violation of these regulations can be punished with fines of up to 50,000 euros - in special cases, companies can even face fines of up to ten million euros, as the Federal Environment Agency states.

Things become particularly serious when the environment is seriously endangered by illegal waste disposal. Unauthorized actions that pollute water, soil or air fall under environmental criminal law and can be punished in accordance with Sections 324 ff. of the Criminal Code. This ranges from contamination to serious offenses that can be punished with prison sentences of up to ten years, according to the criminal law attorney.

The reality of waste disposal

In Germany, illegal waste disposal is one of the most common forms of environmental crime. Cases are increasing, and from 2014 to 2015 the number of procedures increased by 4.5 percent. However, experts warn that there is a high number of unreported environmentally harmful actions. Illegal waste disposal is often treated as an administrative offense; a fine for this can be up to 100,000 euros, depending on the severity of the offense.

The affected citizens in Goslar can only hope that such incidents will be dealt with quickly. Because the clean and attractive cityscape that the city is so valued at is at stake. Ultimately, environmental protection begins with each individual, and this should not be forgotten in Goslar.