Couple fined for environmental damage in Pori, Finland

A district court in Satakunta has sentenced a 34-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man to fines for environmental damage. The couple buried construction waste around their house in Pori from 2016 to 2020 and failed to clean up previously existing debris in the yard. The illegal activities came to light when the couple sold the property to a new owner, who discovered significant amounts of construction waste and various household items, including a lawnmower, an old range hood, and numerous dishes and cans.

The court determined that while some of the waste might have been on the property before the couple’s ownership, they still had an obligation to clean the yard instead of leaving trash behind. The court was unconvinced by the couple’s claim that they were unaware of the waste, which was only partially buried. Of particular concern was the discovery of waste from a roofing renovation that included dangerous asbestos.

The court ruled that the couple’s actions allowed them to avoid thousands of euros in waste disposal fees, transportation costs, and waste treatment expenses, potentially warranting a prison sentence. However, the decision to impose fines was influenced by the fact that some of the waste was likely buried by previous residents, and minimal hazardous material was ultimately found in the environment.

The husband was deemed more involved in the removal and burial of the asbestos-containing material, receiving a fine of 80 daily units, while the wife received a fine of 60 daily units. This equates to 1,760 euros for the man and 360 euros for the woman. Additionally, they are required to pay the new owner over 12,000 euros for cleanup and more than 11,000 euros in legal fees. The ruling is not yet final and may be appealed to a higher court.