Disposal problems - Saarland examines video surveillance of waste containers
The government of Saarland is to check if container parking spaces can be monitored via video in the future. This is intended to prevent illegal disposal of waste. This is stated in a resolution proposed by the SPD-faction, which has a majority in the government.
Previously, the opposition CDU had submitted a bill that would allow video monitoring of container parking spaces under certain conditions. This bill was rejected by the government majority. Instead, the SPD resolution urged the state government to consider video monitoring.
"Our way would be faster," lamented CDU deputy Anja Wagner-Scheid. "It's sad that you want to make this detour and don't trust us as a parliament to do it ourselves."
SPD deputy Frank Schmidt said that a possible video monitoring must be carefully checked: "It also carries the serious risk that the perpetrators will simply dispose of the waste at other locations." The main concern is that the waste will be disposed of in the forest. According to the SPD plan, the experiences gained from several pilot projects should be evaluated approximately two years after their implementation.
The CDU had previously proposed a bill in Parliament to permit video surveillance of container parking spaces under specific circumstances, but it was rejected by the government majority. The SPD-faction, holding a majority in the Saarland government, proposed a resolution suggesting the consideration of video monitoring for waste prevention. In Saarbrücken, the government is examining if container areas can be monitored via video to prevent environmental pollution caused by illegal garbage disposal. Frank Schmidt, an SPD deputy, highlighted the necessity of meticulously evaluating any potential video monitoring, fearing that waste might be disposed of in other locations, such as forests. A Saarland pilot project for garbage disposal monitoring via video is planned to be assessed approximately two years after its initiation.
