Poland warns against recycling paper towels as police deploy drones to combat illegal waste dumping

Polish waste‑management authorities stress that used paper towels should not be placed in the blue paper‑recycling bin. The short cellulose fibers in kitchen towels dissolve in water and clog paper‑processing machines, forcing sorting facilities to remove them manually and increasing costs for municipalities.

From July 1–3 2026, police officers of the Katowice Provincial Police Department completed a three‑day training programme on tackling environmental crime. Participants, including representatives from the regional prosecutor’s office, the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection, the Silesian Customs and Tax Office and the 15th Lubuskie Territorial Defense Brigade, practiced using drones and specialised equipment to locate illegal waste sites and identify hazardous materials. The training aims to improve coordination among agencies and enhance the detection and prosecution of organised illegal dumping.