Illegal storage of hazardous waste in Lombardy

According to reports in the local press, law enforcement authorities in the province of Bergamo, Italy, have intensified their efforts to combat the illegal dumping of hazardous and non-hazardous waste in Romano di Lombardia. During the initial four-month period of the year, the Local Police Specialist Unit successfully executed 70 targeted operations against environmental degradation. This initiative resulted in the implementation of 38 administrative sanctions and the initiation of 5 criminal proceedings. The unit’s efforts were further bolstered by the collaboration of local citizens and the support of video surveillance systems in the vicinity. During a routine patrol in April, officers from the NAAEBA Environmental Unit discovered an uncontrolled waste deposit in a yard at a construction site. The waste materials included packaging, small appliances, plastic, wood, iron, and construction waste, totalling over 2,000 cubic metres. The company owner was reported to the judicial authorities for environmental crimes and agreed to pay the fine by committing to complete remediation of the affected area and to the regular disposal of waste.