Orne resident faces trial for 20 years of illegal waste storage

A septuagenarian in the Orne department of France is facing legal action for the illegal storage of vehicle carcasses, heavy goods vehicles, tires, and metal waste across two rural sites in Sap-André and Gacé.

The investigation, supported by findings from the Dreal (Regional Directorate for Environment, Planning and Housing), revealed that the scrap metal recovery activity has been conducted without proper authorization or sufficient pollution prevention measures for approximately twenty years. Despite receiving multiple warnings and a formal notice for compliance in June 2017—which required the cessation of activities within one year if no remedial work was performed—the defendant continued the operations.

Authorities estimate that 55,000 euros will be required to clean and restore the two sites. As a result, the operator has been ordered to deposit more than 30,000 euros to cover potential remediation costs. The accumulation of waste poses significant environmental risks to the local flora and fauna.