A city in Romania increases the garbage tax by 70% from January 1. The locals will pay hundreds of lei in addition

The new year brings significant increases in taxes and fees, some unprecedented, and the increases cause strong discontent among the population. In Galati, the sanitation fee will increase from 1 January from 170 lei to almost 300 lei per person, in the context in which the new modern waste collection systems are not yet functional.

The new year brings significant increases in fees and taxes. PHOTO: Facebook

Residents will have to pay 288 lei per year for the garbage tax, an increase of approximately 70% compared to the current rate. For a family with two children, the amount reaches over 1,100 lei annually just for household waste collection.

Locals say the increase is hard to bear and are considering delaying the payment. “Drastic, tragic, it's going to be hard. We're working to survive,” a resident tells Digi24.. Others say they will not pay the tax by the March deadline, even if they lose the 10% discount given to those who pay in advance. “Our priority is the children, we will probably pay in December”says another local.

Dissatisfaction is amplified by the fact that, although hundreds of smart bins have been installed in the city, garbage continues to be collected in old bins and new ecological containers remain unused.

However, the representatives of the mayor's office claim that the tax increase was inevitable. According to the spokesperson of the institution, Petrică Pațilea, the increase is justified by the increase in the costs of collection, transport and storage of waste.

Despite official explanations, many locals say they don't understand how the new rates are justified when services don't seem to have improved.