A city filled with rubbish: fines of up to 100,000 euros for illegal rubbish dumping

Whether it’s cigarette butts, drinking glasses or old sofas: illegal rubbish dumping in Berlin is now more expensive than ever. On November 4, the Senate approved a new catalog of fines, which has now been published in the official gazette. The aim is to provide more prevention in the hope that waste will decrease. As much as possible Fine sometimes escalating dramatically, and even seemingly minor violations can be financially devastating.

According to the environmental administration, the costs will be very expensive:

• Fines for discarded cigarette butts, whose toxic substances are considered particularly damaging to the environment, have been increased from 80 to 120 euros to 250 to 3,000 euros. It is still possible to classify the process as an administrative offense, which entails a fine of 55 euros. As with other waste, public order service employees have discretion here.
• For discarded plastic bags, single-use cups, drink wrappers or chewing gum, a warning fee of 55 euros or a fine of 250 to 500 euros may apply. For larger amounts, the fine can reach 5,000 euros.
• Items such as bottles or broken glass, nails, pieces of sheet metal and iron carry fines of 250 to 800 euros, previously starting at 75 euros. Cigarette packs, paper, handkerchiefs or fruit peels and food are subject to a fine of 30 to 40 euros or a fine of 50 to 100 euros, the former being slightly lower.

• Dog owners who do not dispose of their four-legged friend’s remains in accordance with regulations should receive a warning of 55 euros or a fine of 100 to 350 euros. Anyone who does not bring tools such as a bag must pay a fine of 35 euros or a fine of 60 to 250 euros.
• For roadside mattresses, or items such as suitcases, prams, toy cars, tricycles, washbasins, chairs, cupboards, photo frames, boxes, sleds or baskets, the fine doubles to 300 to 1,500 euros. Some larger items or items such as bathtubs or bed frames cost 1,500 to 4,000 euros, five times more than before. For larger amounts, fines can reach five figures, up to 11,000 euros.
• Electrical and bulky waste equipment with components containing hazardous substances is subject to a fine of between 1,000 and 15,000 euros; previously fines started from 500 euros. This applies to mobile phones, radios, kitchen appliances, televisions, monitors, boilers, washing machines, ovens, refrigerators, air conditioning systems, radiators containing asbestos or fluorescent tubes.
• The fine is doubled for illegally disposed of used tires. Prices start from 700 euros per tire for quantities of up to five pieces. If the amount is larger, there is a risk of a fine of up to 20,000 euros; previously the maximum was 3,000 euros. For comparison: Used tires can be handed over to the Berlin City Clean (BSR) recycling center for 3 to 8 euros.
• Fines for illegally dumped vehicles have doubled: for example bicycles, they cost up to 600 euros, mopeds cost up to 1,600 euros, and old caravans or sales trailers cost up to 9,000 euros.
• Illegally dumped construction waste also becomes much more expensive: 1,200 to 25,000 euros must be paid for quantities of up to five cubic meters, and up to 100,000 euros for larger quantities or hazardous construction waste.
• Other waste such as paint, batteries or chemicals can cost 1,200 to 100,000 euros (previously 40 to 25,000 euros).

• Boxes placed on the streets with the words “To be given away” are also an administrative offense – and according to the environmental administration, this does not only apply to the new catalog of fines. A “to give away” box is a simple way to make used items available to others. “The idea behind it is good and desirable.” However, the label “giving” sometimes reaches excessive levels and is inconsistent with the spirit of this concern. Regulatory authorities use the boxes at their discretion and “in strict proportion,” as it says.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:251116-930-298637/1