# Illegal waste management in Europe

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/illegal-waste-management-in-europe
> Updated: 2026-10-27T13:45:49.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 2.

Efforts to address illegal waste sites have been reported in Poland and Croatia. 

In Wołomin, Poland, the Mazovian Voivodeship government has allocated approximately 30 million PLN to begin removing roughly 22,000 tons of illegally stored waste at a site on Łukasiewicza 11. The site, discovered in 2023, contains toxic and corrosive substances in leaking containers. The initial cleanup phase will target between 1,500 and 4,200 tons of the most dangerous materials, with total restoration costs expected to exceed 100 million PLN.

In Varaždin, Croatia, the State Inspectorate reported that nearly 59% of the 5,024 tons of waste at the former Mundus factory site has been removed. Approximately 2,956 tons have been sent to Austria for energy recovery. The illegal storage at this site was attributed to the company TIPOS RESURS, which faces criminal charges and investigations by Croatia’s anti-corruption office, USKOK, following failures to comply with previous removal orders.

## Claims

- The Mazovian Voivodeship has secured nearly 30 million PLN for waste removal in Wołomin. (reported by 3 sources)
- There are approximately 22,000 tons of waste at the Łukasiewicza 11 site. (reported by 3 sources)
- The first phase of cleanup will involve removing between 1,500 and 4,200 tons of waste. (reported by 2 sources)
- The Voivodeship Inspectorate for Environmental Protection (WIOŚ) found leaks and chemical degradation at the site. (reported by 2 sources)
- The regional government is performing the cleanup as a substitute performance. (reported by 2 sources)
- The total cost to restore the area is expected to exceed 100 million PLN. (reported by 1 source)
- The illegal site was discovered in 2023. (reported by 1 source)
- The tender deadline for the first phase of waste removal is November 6, 2026. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: Varaždin waste removal: 60% of illegal waste cleared from Mundus site

Nearly 60% of the 5,024 tons of waste illegally stored at the former Mundus factory in Varaždin has been removed and sent to Austria for energy recovery.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/varadin-waste-removal-60-of-illegal-waste-cleared-from-mundus-site

### 2026-10-26: Wołomin illegal waste site: Mazovia allocates 30 million PLN for cleanup

Mazovia has allocated 30 million PLN to start removing 22,000 tons of hazardous, illegally stored waste in Wołomin to mitigate environmental and safety risks.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mazovia-allocates-funds-to-remove-hazardous-waste-in-woomin

---
Cite as: Illegal waste management in Europe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/illegal-waste-management-in-europe