European Court condemns Italy for environmental risks at the Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte landfill.

On June 4, 2026, the First Section of the European Court of Human Rights issued a landmark ruling in the case of Addonizio and Others v. Italy, concerning the Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte landfill site in the province of Benevento.

The plaintiffs, representatives of the Citizens' Committee of Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte (CODISAM) and over one hundred local residents, had denounced the critical issues related to the landfill, which was part of the waste emergency in Campania between 1994 and 2009, causing hydrogeological instability, landslides, leachate leaks, and groundwater contamination.

The Court unanimously recognized a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to respect for private and family life. According to the ruling, the Italian authorities failed to take all necessary measures to ensure effective protection of residents from the serious environmental damage and safety risks posed by the landfill.

The Court found evidence of environmental pollution, deficiencies in the planning, management, and control of the landfill, as well as delays in safety and cleanup. Despite ongoing problems, groundwater contamination by hazardous substances such as sulfates, mercury, and manganese was also recorded between 2023 and 2024.

From a compensatory standpoint, the Court ruled that the recognition of the violation constitutes in itself just satisfaction for the non-pecuniary damages suffered, ordering the Italian State to pay the appellants €10.000 in legal costs, in addition to any taxes and default interest.

The ruling emphasizes that, while it is not possible to determine the specific extent of the threat to residents' health, it is clear that pollution and hydrogeological instability have created a serious safety risk, compromising the right to respect for private life.

In the coming days, an ordinary civil action to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens of Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte and surrounding areas is expected to be evaluated, with the aim of obtaining further compensation and protective measures.