Saxony's cities and districts have to spend a lot of money every year to remove illegally dumped waste. In Leipzig alone, the disposal of illegal waste cost more than half a million euros last year. The problem is also a big one elsewhere - and it is increasing in many places. This is shown by feedback from local authorities in response to an inquiry by Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
Illegal waste disposal is particularly expensive in large cities. In Dresden, the cost of clearing up waste has risen significantly within ten years - from around 135,000 euros in 2015 to almost 450,000 euros in 2024. This is also due to the fact that the number of registered illegal dumping sites has increased. However, the city points out that not all cases are discovered. Among other things, the administration cites changes in consumer habits, such as during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as temporarily closed recycling centers as causes.
The authorities in Chemnitz are also reporting a clear upward trend. The number of cases rose from 668 in 2024 to 993 last year. The costs are therefore likely to have risen from around 50,000 to around 67,000 euros.
