No, burning household waste in Romania is illegal under national and EU environmental laws, with enforcement by the Environmental Guard and local authorities. Exceptions for agricultural or forestry residues require permits, and 2026 compliance checks will tighten penalties for non-compliance.
Key Regulations for Burning Trash in Romania
- Law 211/2011 prohibits open burning of municipal waste, classifying it as a violation of waste management and air quality standards. Violations incur fines up to RON 20,000 (≈€4,000).
- Government Decision 856/2002 restricts burning to specific agricultural or silvicultural residues under controlled conditions, mandating prior notification to the county environmental protection agency (AJPM).
- EU Directive 2018/851 and Romania’s 2025 National Waste Management Plan enforce stricter waste hierarchy compliance, banning open burning as a disposal method unless explicitly permitted for biomass residues.
Local authorities, including the National Environmental Guard (GNM) and county sanitation inspectors, conduct periodic checks, particularly in rural areas where open burning persists. The 2026 enforcement phase will deploy drones and satellite monitoring to identify illegal burns, with municipalities facing EU infringement risks for non-compliance. Exemptions for cultural or traditional practices remain rare and require prior approval from the Ministry of Environment.