Erfurt (dpa/th) – With the beginning of spring, the Thuringian State Forestry Administration warns against the illegal disposal of green waste in the forest. Because waste from the garden, balcony or apartment can damage the forest ecosystem, according to a statement from ThüringenForst on Wednesday. In addition to autumn leaves, old lawn clippings and shrub waste, soil and plant material from flower pots are also unloaded in the forest.
The forest administration explained that these are often exotic species from the hardware store or garden center, which can sometimes aggressively displace native plant species. This could lead to a change in the nutrient balance of the forest soil. Some plants, such as giant hogweed, could also trigger allergic reactions in humans.
“It seems that many people simply do not know what ecological problems the disposal of garden waste in the forest can cause, not to mention the economic ones,” said ThüringenForst board member Volker Gebhardt according to the announcement. Because landfills would often accept green waste free of charge.
ThüringenForst explained that the problem of illegal disposal occurs particularly close to the city, on the edges of forests and in forest parking lots. A fine of up to 12,500 euros is currently threatened.
