Problem of the illegal dumping sitesin the Białka Valley, Carpathian Mountains

Białka River Valley (Natura 2000 site, PLH120024) is one of the most important natural areas in the Polish part of the Carpathians. It serves as a key ecological corridor and provides important habitats for many animal species. The primary objective of this area is the protection of the river’s natural character. During field surveys conducted in 2023, almost 300 waste dumping sites were mapped within an area of 716 hectares. Dominant type of waste was plastic (mainly plastic bags – 46% and PET bottles – 45.7%). Other identified waste fractions included construction waste (26.3%), metal (24.7%) and glass (22.3%). With regard to dump size, 21.7% of the sites were classified as large (e.g. equivalent to a dump truck load of waste, while 22.7% were classified as medium (e.g. equivalent to a wheelbarrow load). The presence of environmentally hazardous waste (such as batteries, accumulators, grease, oils) was also mapped. This may affect the ionic composition of the water, increasing conductivity and creating a real threat to the environment (including water pollution or fire). Additionally, waste materials may be transported downstream by river flow, exposing other places to environmental hazards. A total of 63% of all dumping sites were visually exposed, which negatively affects the landscape in mountainous regions. The dominant land-cover types within the study area were forest (35.7%), grasslands (33.3%) and shrubs (24%). Approximately 32% of the identified waste consisted of recyclable materials, which could be effectively eliminated under appropriate waste management practices. In 2026, repeat field mapping will be carried out to enable comparative analysis and to assess changes from ecological, hydrological perspectives.