Slovakia moves closer to approving major waste incineration plant as ministry allows record foreign waste imports

An expert assessment commissioned by Slovakia's Ministry of Environment has recommended approval for a major waste incineration plant planned by Slovnaft, the country's largest oil refinery. The facility would become Slovakia's biggest waste processing plant with a capacity of 220,000 tons annually. Critics worry the project will lead to increased waste imports from Hungary and worsen air pollution. The development comes as Slovnaft, owned by Hungarian energy giant MOL, adapts its business model after losing access to advantageous Russian oil imports due to EU sanctions. Meanwhile, the Environment Ministry under Tomáš Taraba has approved record levels of waste imports from abroad, raising concerns about Slovakia becoming a dumping ground for foreign waste.