Bella Nilsson, who once styled herself as Sweden’s “Queen of Trash,” is now facing trial in the country’s largest environmental crime case. Nilsson, the former CEO of the waste management company NMT Think Pink, along with 10 other defendants, stands accused of illegally dumping 200,000 tonnes of waste across 21 locations between 2015 and 2020. The charges include “aggravated environmental crime,” with the prosecution alleging severe mismanagement of toxic waste.

NMT Think Pink, which went bankrupt in 2020 following Nilsson’s arrest, is accused of improperly discarding hazardous materials, leading to the release of carcinogenic chemicals, lead, arsenic, and mercury into the environment. In one particularly egregious incident, a waste pile near a nature reserve spontaneously combusted, burning for two months and releasing toxic fumes into the air.

Prosecutors argue that Nilsson and her associates had no intention or capability to manage the waste according to environmental regulations. Instead, they allegedly falsified documents to deceive authorities and used the profits for personal gain. The scandal has resulted in a 45,000-page investigation, underscoring the gravity of the case.

The consequences of the illegal dumping have been severe, with multiple municipalities seeking damages totaling 260 million kronor ($25.4 million) to cover cleanup and decontamination costs. Botkyrka council, one of the most affected areas, is demanding 125 million kronor, having already spent a significant sum on waste removal. The impact of the dumping has been far-reaching, with fires at the illegal dumpsites forcing local residents to take extreme measures, including keeping children indoors due to toxic smoke.

Despite the charges, Nilsson and the other defendants, including her ex-husband Thomas Nilsson, have denied any wrongdoing. As the trial unfolds, it highlights the environmental and public health risks posed by the illegal waste disposal practices, marking a significant moment in Sweden’s legal and environmental history.