Lithuania cleaned over 600 illegal waste sites in forests last year

Lithuanian environmental authorities addressed more than 600 cases of illegal dumping in forests in 2025, following a record number of public reports, the Environmental Protection Department (AAD) announced Friday.

Last year, the agency received 748 notifications about abandoned waste—primarily construction debris, household garbage, and discarded tires—left in wooded areas. Of these, 616 sites were fully cleared, while 17 cases resulted in mandatory cleanup orders issued to landowners. Six violations led to administrative penalty protocols, though offenders are rarely identified, officials noted.

When culprits cannot be traced, environmental inspectors contact the property owner where the waste is found, urging voluntary removal. The AAD reminded residents that illegal dumping, damaged forest floors, bark beetle outbreaks, and other environmental violations can be reported via the interactive map at tvarkaulietuva.lt.