On Wednesday and Thursday, the Waste Department of the Ministry of the Environment will organize a seminar in Narva-Jõesuu (East-Viru County) for discussing the topical problems of waste management. By the end of 2003, the first half of the closed former waste dumps should be sanitated (incl. covering with soil). While in 1999 the number of officially registered dumping sites for mixed municipal waste was 221, only 44 of those remained in use 2002; and only 39 sites remained in use in 2003. Within 2001, nine of the existing waste dumps were treated; in 2002 59 dumps were treated; and in 2003 another 44 dumps are planned to be treated. Within 2004, another 100 closed waste dumps should be treated. According to Mr. Peeter Eek, Head of Waste Department of the Ministry of the Environment, halfway has been reached at the treating process as far as the number of dumping sites is concerned. However, in financial terms the situation is different as only the smaller dumping sites have been closed to date. "According to preliminary assessment, approximately 80 million Estonian kroon (equivalent to some 5.1 mln EUR) will be required for the closing of small-scale dumping sites (below two hectares in area) after 2003. The list of larger-scale dumping sites includes depositories of oil shale ash and coke; technical solutions for closing those have not been developed yet. Consequently, it is currently impossible to calculate the full cost estimates," said Mr. Eek. According to Mr. Eek, we currently face the situation where the average costs related to the closing of landfills are below 100,000 kroon in some counties while the respective numbers in another county reach above 400,000 kroon per hectare. At the seminar, discussions will concern ways and methods for harmonization of the technical requirements related to the closing of dumping sites - and, consequently, of costs related to the sanitation process. Other presentations at the seminar will concern the development of the system for collection and reuse of used car tyres; the determination of the hazardousness level of semi-coke; the assessment of the impact of rodents migration in relation to the closing of dumping sites, and the state of recycling packaging waste in Estonia. Representatives of the enterprises, county environmental departments, and the Environmental Inspectorate will take part in the seminar. For additional information please contact: |
