Environmental Hazard: Greenpeace Reports Landfill Operator in St. Pölten
The environmental organization is directing its complaint against Zöchling Abfallverwertung GmbH. According to Greenpeace, image and video documentation as well as satellite images suggest that large amounts have been improperly disposed of at the landfill for a long time. Therefore, Greenpeace submitted a report to the public prosecutor's office in St. Pölten.
Stefan Stadler, spokesperson for the Greenpeace investigative team, described the case as "alarming and the opposite of a modern circular economy." The organization demands the complete removal of all improperly disposed waste, a review of all the company's sites, and a new control system for landfills.
Landfill in St. Pölten Closed Since December
Following intervention by the environmental authority of Lower Austria, the landfill was closed in December. Since then, extensive test excavations have been conducted. According to the authority, further investigations are necessary, including in older areas of the facility, to ensure that no unauthorized materials remain.
In parallel, investigations are underway to document and trace waste disposal and to identify those responsible. Administrative penalty proceedings are already being prepared.
Zöchling Abfallverwertung GmbH rejects Greenpeace's allegations. The company emphasizes its willingness to cooperate with the authorities and has initiated an internal review.
Zöchling: No Environmental Endangerment
The Zöchling Abfallverwertung GmbH responded calmly to Greenpeace's criminal complaint on Friday. Spokesperson Doris Nentwich once again rejected "the baseless and purely speculative allegations and accusations" and emphasized: "Negative impacts on the environment from the 'Am Ziegelofen' landfill can be ruled out." The attempt to conjure up an environmental scandal not only endangers the good reputation of the company, "which has been a reliable partner in waste disposal and recycling of construction debris in Lower Austria for decades," but also leads to massive uncertainty among the population.
It was once again emphasized that the landfill poses no environmental threat. The authority has also already ruled this out. A mass waste landfill, like the one in St. Pölten, is considered one of the best-protected landfill forms. Negative impacts on the environment are excluded by containment systems. There are strict legal and regulatory requirements for this, explained the
(APA/Red)
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