The Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) yesterday approved the national Waste Management Plan, the purpose of which is improvement of the organization of waste management in Estonia. The Waste Management Plan includes a thorough analysis of the current situation of waste management in Estonia and overview of the respective problems, as well as solutions for improving the situation in the next years. According to Mr. Peeter Eek, Head of Waste Department of the Ministry of the Environment, the Waste Management Plan also includes assessment of costs related to the achieving of a well-organized waste management system. Primarily this concerns the closing of former dumping sites (including the industrial waste dumping sites of Ida-Virumaa in the north-east of Estonia) and the setting up of new waste management stations. According to current plans, costs to be covered by the Estonian side in relation to the setting up of new landfills and closing of the former ones within 2002..2006 amount to 202 million EEK (equivalent to approximately 13 million EUR). In the process of Estonia's accession to the European Union (EU), it is planned to use the EU pre-accession funds (prior to accession) and structural funds (after having become a member of the EU) as important sources for co-financing those activities within the transition period. By 2008, all former dumping sites that do not meet the relevant requirements will need to be closed according to the Waste Management Plan. By then there will be eight regional landfills for non-hazardous waste that meet all requirements, according to the Plan. Of these, the Uikala, Torma and Väätsa landfills have already started operation to date. The first part of the new Tallinn landfill will also start operation shortly. The construction of landfills of South-East Estonia, Paikuse, and North-West Estonia is currently under preparation. According to the Waste Management Plan, a landfill is also planned to be constructed in the island of Saaremaa. According to the Waste Management Plan, the forming of cooperation systems among local municipalities is of high importance for improving the organization of non-hazardous waste management. According to Mr. Eek, the state of waste management in Estonian has improved considerably during the last decade, especially as concerns the offering of services. The focus now is on activities related to the closing of former dumping sites, construction of new landfills, and promotion of waste recovery. For additional information please contact: |
