Illegal garbage deposits in Wuppertal: reward for clues!

Illegal garbage deposits in Wuppertal: reward for clues!

In Wuppertal Dornap, Regiobahn GmbH has uncovered a massive illegal waste disposal. A total of 38 blue sacks, filled with waste from a house renovation, were unloaded near the bridge on the sand field. The content of the sacks includes insulation wool, wallpaper, tiles and packaging waste. Regiobahn employees had to repack the torn sacks so that the landfill could accept them. The company offers a reward of 1,000 euros for clues to the perpetrator. The illegal disposal of garbage is legally pursued in Germany and is part of an increasing criminal prosecution of environmental offenses that have gained in importance in recent years. Supertipp Not only violate the law, but can also have serious consequences for the environment.

The increased awareness of environmental problems leads to increased legal persecution of environmental crimes. These range from illegal waste disposal to pollution to illegal deforestation. States recognize the urgency of increasingly acting against such offenses. Significant legal innovations were introduced in Germany, which affect the expansion of the Criminal Code (StGB), among other things. Paragraphs 324 and 330 StGB treat environmental pollution and serious environmental offenses, such as the illegal disposal of pollutants. In addition, the law to improve the protection of the environment and nature was adopted. This law introduces new criminal offenses for the illegal use and destruction of nature reserves and increases the minimum penalty for environmental offenses. emphasizes that the EU has promoted guidelines for harmonizing environmental persecution and criminal laws.

challenges of law enforcement

Despite the legal progress, there are numerous challenges in the effective persecution of environmental crimes. Many violations are difficult to detect, and these crimes often exceed national borders. International cooperation is therefore of great importance. The assignment of sufficient resources to specialized investigative authorities is essential in order to continuously overcome the demonstrable defects in the evidence.

In Germany, the classification of an violation of environmental law as an administrative offense or as a crime depends on the severity of the offense, which is regulated by law. Administrative offenses are defined in most environmental laws, while serious environmental criminal traps can be punished with money or prison terms. Particularly serious crimes, such as the endangerment of the public water supply, can be punished with prison sentences of up to 15 years. The Environmental Office Environmental crime in Germany and notes that there are decisive progress in both an individual and an entrepreneurial level.