Greenpeace Raises Alarm Over New Landfill Risks in Lower Austria

Greenpeace has issued a warning regarding a new landfill site in Lower Austria, expressing concerns for both human health and environmental safety. This warning follows an unannounced inspection of the Kettlasbrunn hazardous waste landfill operated by Zöchling, which falls under the Seveso Directive, designed to regulate industrial sites handling hazardous substances.

During the inspection, Greenpeace welcomed the authorities' intervention and urged immediate action if any irregularities are detected, including the potential closure of the facility and a thorough investigation into possible environmental damages.

A spokesperson for Greenpeace's investigative team highlighted the significant risks associated with the hazardous waste processed at Kettlasbrunn, emphasizing that improper management could lead to catastrophic consequences for both people and nature.

This site is the second location operated by Zöchling to face scrutiny following the closure of another problematic landfill, "Am Ziegelofen," in St. Pölten. Greenpeace has been actively monitoring the Kettlasbrunn site, where it discovered concerning evidence of contamination, including visible combustion residues mixed with plastic waste and metallic items like spoons and wires at the landfill's edges. Additionally, winds have carried plastic debris with readable labels onto nearby agricultural fields, raising further alarm.

The Kettlasbrunn landfill processes over 20 different types of hazardous waste, including highly toxic industrial by-products such as filter dust, metal shavings, ashes, and slags. The waste processed at this site is not solely sourced from Austria and poses life-threatening risks if mishandled, as exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Furthermore, these materials can self-ignite or react with water, leading to long-term contamination of aquatic ecosystems.

Another point of concern is the significant increase in permits granted by the state government over the past two years, which has allowed the landfill's capacity to triple from one million to three million cubic meters. The permitted annual intake of treated hazardous waste has skyrocketed from 30,000 to 250,000 tons, marking an increase of eightfold.

Greenpeace criticized the leniency with which waste management permits are granted in Lower Austria, stating that recent waste scandals reveal profound systemic failures that must be addressed by the regional government. They argue that environmental and public health protection should not be sacrificed for economic interests.

For further information, please refer to the factsheet available at this link. Relevant video and image materials can be accessed here, with credits © Greenpeace available for editorial use.