Waste Fees Rise in Chełm as Population Falls

21 March 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Chełm waste fees rise from 19 zł to 29 zł as the city covers a multi-million deficit, affecting residents and expats alike.

Chełm officials propose raising the Chełm waste fees from 19 zł to 29 zł per person per month. Consequently, the move reflects years of accumulated losses and a growing local waste problem.

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Why the city wants to raise Chełm waste fees

The city recorded over 21 million zł in losses from its waste system in five years. Therefore, the municipal budget covered those shortfalls. In practice, taxpayers bore the cost. Moreover, forecasts project a potential 7 million zł deficit in 2026 if rates stay unchanged. The administration calculated that a real cost-reflective fee should approach 37 zł monthly. However, councillors propose a compromise of 29 zł. Even so, the system would still lose about 3 million zł yearly.

Numbers and the tender that changed everything

The tender revealed the scale of the problem. The city budgeted roughly 12.7 million zł for collection. Yet the only bid, from the municipal utility company MPGK, reached nearly 16 million zł. Consequently, Chełm faced no market competition. In addition, collection costs rose for many reasons. Energy and fuel prices climbed. Wages increased. The region lacks sufficient recycling and processing plants. Moreover, markets for secondary raw materials weakened. As a result, per-ton handling costs now approach 1,000 zł.

Population falls, waste rises

The paradox alarms local leaders. The registered population fell from over 59,000 to about 54,000. However, annual waste volumes rose to a projected 21,500 tons. Around 14 percent of residents do not appear in the payment system, yet they produce waste. Therefore, the financial burden concentrates on fewer payers. Consequently, households face a sharp rise in living costs. For many, the increase will matter.

Regional comparison and what it means for residents

Until recently, Chełm offered one of the lowest fees in the area. Now the city will sit in the mid-range. For comparison, the nearby gmina Chełm charges 23 zł. Rejowiec Fabryczny charges 37 zł. Krasnystaw charges 28.50 zł. Włodawa will charge 27 zł from April 1. Lublin residents pay up to 42 zł. Therefore, Chełm’s new level looks moderate regionally, but it rises by more than 50 percent locally. Residents will notice the jump immediately.

New fees could start in May 2026 if the council approves the change on March 25. The city plans to keep some discounts. For example, people who compost will retain reductions. The municipality also wants to preserve targeted aid for low-income families. Nevertheless, the core problem remains unresolved. The city has not fixed the structural flaws in the waste system. Instead, it shifts more costs to payers.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you live in Poland as an expat, register your address and keep your PESEL or NIP updated. PESEL is the national ID number. Also note that local fees can affect residency paperwork and benefits. In addition, ZUS and NFZ refer to key national institutions: ZUS handles pensions and social insurance, and NFZ runs public healthcare payments. Therefore, failing to register or to understand local charges can complicate tax, benefit, or rental situations.

In short, Chełm seeks to stop recurring deficits. However, the proposed 29 zł fee only reduces the hole. Consequently, the city will still need further reforms or higher revenue. For expats, the change illustrates how municipal services link to local budgets and regional market forces.

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