Poland's Ostrołęka and Potęgowo confront tire dumping and rising waste fees

In the Ostrołęka county, vice‑starosta Artur Kozłowski posted images showing several hundred used tires gathered from road verges and forest ditches during April. He described the illegal dumping as a "definition of shame" and warned that such behavior undermines environmental responsibility and sets a poor example for future generations.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Potęgowo in the Pomeranian region announced that, starting 1 July 2026, waste‑collection charges will increase to 37 zł per person (33 zł for households using a compost bin). The rise aims to close a funding gap after years of municipal subsidies covering hundreds of thousands of złotys. Residents meeting low‑income criteria will receive a 90 % rebate on the new fees.

Both developments highlight growing challenges in local waste management and the financial pressures faced by Polish municipalities.