Berlin Senate Reviews Plan to Raise Fines for Illegal Waste Disposal

Districts support higher fines but highlight enforcement challenges and resource limitations as the fine catalog remains under revision.

The Berlin Senate is considering fines of up to €4,000 for illegal bulky waste disposal and €250 for littering cigarette butts, significantly increasing penalties.
The revised fine catalog is still under review by the Senate Department for Transport and Environment, with no timeline for implementation yet announced.
Districts generally support the proposed fines but express concerns about enforcement due to limited personnel and resources for monitoring.
Some districts, including Neukölln and Reinickendorf, question whether higher fines will effectively deter offenders, noting frequent reductions during appeals.
Public awareness campaigns are being recommended by several districts, such as Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Spandau, as a necessary complement to the proposed fines.