AS Eesti Keskkonnateenused carried out waste inspections in 2025 for the mixed municipal waste bins of waste holders in Valga municipality as a condition of the tender. The aim of these inspections was to assess the functioning of separate collection and identify the most common mistakes. The objective of the inspections is to reduce the amount of recyclable waste ending up in mixed municipal waste and to support residents' awareness of sorting.
During the checks, a total of 50 mixed waste bins were examined.
- 9 cases (18.0%) misidentified incorrect waste among mixed waste.
- 41 cases (82.0%) of mixed waste, which should be collected separately, were observed.
During a single inspection, multiple incorrect waste types were often identified. The most common incorrect items found amongst mixed municipal waste were:
- Paper waste;
- glass packaging;
- food waste;
- hazardous waste;
- metal packaging;
- Construction waste;
- Electronics;
- Pandipaconditis.
The Valga Rural Municipality government will use the results of the checks to refine further notifications and guidance, so that separate collection is as understandable as possible for residents.
How can you help improve the situation?
- Take paper packaging to a public paper bin. Take glass packaging to a public glass bin. Collect metal packaging separately and take it to scrap metal, or take it to a public mixed packaging bin, or hand it over at the point where mixed packaging is generated.
- The package is returned to the drop-off point.
- Separate your organic waste and take it to the organic waste bin for collection by the waste carrier, or use on-site composting (in accordance with current regulations).
- Take hazardous waste, electronics, and construction waste to your nearest waste disposal centre.
Miks see oluline on?
Mixed municipal waste collected in Valga municipality is directed by the waste carrier for energy recovery at the Iru incineration plant to the extent of approximately 81%, and 19% is landfilled in landfills. Both energy recovery and landfilling are the lowest levels of the waste hierarchy. The inclusion of recyclable waste in mixed municipal waste reduces the possibility of producing new products from these materials. It also increases the amount of mixed municipal waste, thereby increasing costs for the waste holder. Proper sorting helps to reduce waste management costs and to direct a larger amount of recyclable material into circulation.