Frequently asked questions
What is bio-waste and why do I have to collect it separately?
Bio-waste is divided into two: kitchen and canteen waste (i.e. food waste) and garden and landscape waste (i.e. tree leaves, branches, grass, etc.).
Food waste is, for example, meat and fish waste, vegetables and fruits (including peeling waste), bread, semi-finished food products, bakery products and confectionery, cheese, butter and margarine and other solid food waste, as well as household paper, paper napkins, coffee grounds, paper filters.
Find out more about bio-waste on the https://www.tallinn.ee/et/keskkond/biojaatmed webpage.
Check out the information leaflet on the collection of bio-waste HERE.
From 1 June 2023, who has to start collecting their bio-waste in a bin?
From 1 June 2023, all properties, regardless of the purpose of the property or the number of apartments, must collect their kitchen and canteen waste in a bin and hand it over to a waste hauler. PLEASE NOTE! The requirement applies from 1 April 2023 in
Mustamäe and from 1 May 2023 in Kristiine because the service provider of organised waste transport will be changing in these areas.
As an exception, exemptions from the bin obligation can be applied for by detached houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses and buildings with up to two apartments who compost their kitchen and canteen waste on-site in a composter closed from all sides and receive permission for composting from their district administration.
Adjacent properties can also use a shared bin to collect bio-waste. In order to use a shared bin, users must sign a contract for the use of the shared bin and agree on who will sign the contract with the waste hauler and
how payment for emptying the bin will be made. The use of the shared bin must be co-ordinated with the Tallinn Strategic Management Office and the
district administration for the district in which it is located.
A request for the use of a shared bin can be submitted at https://evald.ee/tallinn/app/jaatmekaitlus/.
If the self-service link does not work, a digitally signed application can be sent to [email protected]. You can find the application form here.
What does it mean to use collection bins (80-litre and 140-litre) on favourable terms?
It means that a physical person can use the collection bin free of charge on the condition that they sign an addendum to the contract with the waste hauler for the transfer of bio-waste within 14 days of receiving the container from the waste treatment plant.
Who empties the bio-waste bin?
The bio-waste bin is emptied by the same company that also empties the municipal solid waste bin, because bio-waste is also covered by organised waste transport.
How does the signing of the bio-waste transport contract work?
In order to empty the bio-waste bin, you need to change your contract with the waste hauler in your area who also empties the municipal solid waste bin on your property. You can find additional information about waste transport areas and waste haulers HERE.
Can I also put tree leaves and grass in the bio-waste container?
Separately collected garden and landscaping waste can be placed in a bio-waste bin in a volume that does not exceed the carrying capacity established by the manufacturer of the collection bin (Tallinn Waste Management Regulations § 19 paragraph 1). This means that if you have a 140-litre bio-waste bin, you can put 70 kg of garden and landscaping waste in the bin and if you have an 80-litre bio-waste bin, you can put 40 kg of garden and landscaping waste in the container.
Where can I apply for a free bio-waste bin?
In addition to detached houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses and residents of houses with up to two apartments, bio-waste bins can also be requested by board members of an apartment association with 3-9 apartments. It is important to remember that one free bin can be requested per residential address. For example, if one resident of a semi-detached house applies for a free bin, the other residents of the semi-detached house on the same property cannot apply for more free bins. We recommend that the residents of a semi-detached house share a bin and sign a contract for the use of a shared bin. For an apartment association with 3-9 apartments, a bin can be requested by a member of the board of the apartment association who has the rights to represent the apartment association in transactions in the commercial register.
Applications can be submitted through the portal http://taotlen.tallinn.ee.
If the kitchen has a waste disposer, what exemption does the owner have to make if there is no bio-waste?
All those who have a waste disposer must also start collecting bio-waste in a bin. Not all bio-waste generated in households (flowers, fibrous food waste) can be put into the waste disposer. Therefore, even if there is a waste disposer in the household, it does not exempt the waste owner from the obligation to use a composter or a bio-waste bin.
I compost bio-waste and hand over packaging at the point of origin, I hardly generate municipal solid waste at all. Is it possible for me to hand over municipal solid waste to the waste hauler less often?
If the property has the consent of the district for composting, the bin for municipal solid waste can be emptied once every eight weeks, i.e. once every two months.
If the property has the consent of the district for composting and collection of packaging at the point of origin (for example, a packaging bin or a yellow packaging bag), the municipal solid waste bin can be emptied once every twelve weeks, i.e. once a quarter.
To do this, you need to contact the waste hauler in your area to conclude a change to the contract.
Who can compost kitchen and canteen waste on their property instead of in a bin?
Residents of detached houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses and buildings with up to two apartments who have received the relevant approval from the local district administration can compost their kitchen and canteen waste in a closed composter.
How and where can I apply for permits for composting?
The application can be submitted through the self-service portal https://evald.ee/tallinn/app/jaatmekaitlus/. If you cannot use the self-service portal, a signed application with a photo of the composter must be submitted to the district administration.
PLEASE NOTE! If you received a composter from Tallinn in September 2022, you do not need to apply for a separate permit, as you are already registered in the system.
What kind of composter is suitable for composting kitchen and canteen waste, or food waste?
Food waste can be composted in a composter that is closed from all sides, protected from pests, animals (including rodents) and birds and designed for year-round composting of kitchen and canteen waste and garden and landscape waste. Food waste must not be composted in an open pit, as it attracts birds, animals and rodents.
You can compost garden and landscaping waste in an open bin or box and you do not need approval from the district administration to compost them on your property.
You can build a suitable compost bin yourself or buy one from the nearest hardware store. All commercially available compost bins at every price range are suitable for composting and the resident can choose one that suits them.
For detached houses, we recommend a composter with a size of 250 L to 400 L.
Read more about composting on Kompostiljon's website.
Examples of possibilities:
Bio-waste is divided into two: kitchen and canteen waste (i.e. food waste) and garden and landscape waste (i.e. tree leaves, branches, grass, etc.).
Food waste is, for example, meat and fish waste, vegetables and fruits (including peeling waste), bread, semi-finished food products, bakery products and confectionery, cheese, butter and margarine and other solid food waste, as well as household paper, paper napkins, coffee grounds, paper filters.
Find out more about bio-waste on the https://www.tallinn.ee/et/keskkond/biojaatmed webpage.
Check out the information leaflet on the collection of bio-waste HERE.
From 1 June 2023, who has to start collecting their bio-waste in a bin?
From 1 June 2023, all properties, regardless of the purpose of the property or the number of apartments, must collect their kitchen and canteen waste in a bin and hand it over to a waste hauler. PLEASE NOTE! The requirement applies from 1 April 2023 in
Mustamäe and from 1 May 2023 in Kristiine because the service provider of organised waste transport will be changing in these areas.
As an exception, exemptions from the bin obligation can be applied for by detached houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses and buildings with up to two apartments who compost their kitchen and canteen waste on-site in a composter closed from all sides and receive permission for composting from their district administration.
Adjacent properties can also use a shared bin to collect bio-waste. In order to use a shared bin, users must sign a contract for the use of the shared bin and agree on who will sign the contract with the waste hauler and
how payment for emptying the bin will be made. The use of the shared bin must be co-ordinated with the Tallinn Strategic Management Office and the
district administration for the district in which it is located.
A request for the use of a shared bin can be submitted at https://evald.ee/tallinn/app/jaatmekaitlus/.
If the self-service link does not work, a digitally signed application can be sent to [email protected]. You can find the application form here.
What does it mean to use collection bins (80-litre and 140-litre) on favourable terms?
It means that a physical person can use the collection bin free of charge on the condition that they sign an addendum to the contract with the waste hauler for the transfer of bio-waste within 14 days of receiving the container from the waste treatment plant.
Who empties the bio-waste bin?
The bio-waste bin is emptied by the same company that also empties the municipal solid waste bin, because bio-waste is also covered by organised waste transport.
How does the signing of the bio-waste transport contract work?
In order to empty the bio-waste bin, you need to change your contract with the waste hauler in your area who also empties the municipal solid waste bin on your property. You can find additional information about waste transport areas and waste haulers HERE.
Can I also put tree leaves and grass in the bio-waste container?
Separately collected garden and landscaping waste can be placed in a bio-waste bin in a volume that does not exceed the carrying capacity established by the manufacturer of the collection bin (Tallinn Waste Management Regulations § 19 paragraph 1). This means that if you have a 140-litre bio-waste bin, you can put 70 kg of garden and landscaping waste in the bin and if you have an 80-litre bio-waste bin, you can put 40 kg of garden and landscaping waste in the container.
Where can I apply for a free bio-waste bin?
In addition to detached houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses and residents of houses with up to two apartments, bio-waste bins can also be requested by board members of an apartment association with 3-9 apartments. It is important to remember that one free bin can be requested per residential address. For example, if one resident of a semi-detached house applies for a free bin, the other residents of the semi-detached house on the same property cannot apply for more free bins. We recommend that the residents of a semi-detached house share a bin and sign a contract for the use of a shared bin. For an apartment association with 3-9 apartments, a bin can be requested by a member of the board of the apartment association who has the rights to represent the apartment association in transactions in the commercial register.
Applications can be submitted through the portal http://taotlen.tallinn.ee.
If the kitchen has a waste disposer, what exemption does the owner have to make if there is no bio-waste?
All those who have a waste disposer must also start collecting bio-waste in a bin. Not all bio-waste generated in households (flowers, fibrous food waste) can be put into the waste disposer. Therefore, even if there is a waste disposer in the household, it does not exempt the waste owner from the obligation to use a composter or a bio-waste bin.
I compost bio-waste and hand over packaging at the point of origin, I hardly generate municipal solid waste at all. Is it possible for me to hand over municipal solid waste to the waste hauler less often?
If the property has the consent of the district for composting, the bin for municipal solid waste can be emptied once every eight weeks, i.e. once every two months.
If the property has the consent of the district for composting and collection of packaging at the point of origin (for example, a packaging bin or a yellow packaging bag), the municipal solid waste bin can be emptied once every twelve weeks, i.e. once a quarter.
To do this, you need to contact the waste hauler in your area to conclude a change to the contract.
Who can compost kitchen and canteen waste on their property instead of in a bin?
Residents of detached houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses and buildings with up to two apartments who have received the relevant approval from the local district administration can compost their kitchen and canteen waste in a closed composter.
How and where can I apply for permits for composting?
The application can be submitted through the self-service portal https://evald.ee/tallinn/app/jaatmekaitlus/. If you cannot use the self-service portal, a signed application with a photo of the composter must be submitted to the district administration.
PLEASE NOTE! If you received a composter from Tallinn in September 2022, you do not need to apply for a separate permit, as you are already registered in the system.
What kind of composter is suitable for composting kitchen and canteen waste, or food waste?
Food waste can be composted in a composter that is closed from all sides, protected from pests, animals (including rodents) and birds and designed for year-round composting of kitchen and canteen waste and garden and landscape waste. Food waste must not be composted in an open pit, as it attracts birds, animals and rodents.
You can compost garden and landscaping waste in an open bin or box and you do not need approval from the district administration to compost them on your property.
You can build a suitable compost bin yourself or buy one from the nearest hardware store. All commercially available compost bins at every price range are suitable for composting and the resident can choose one that suits them.
For detached houses, we recommend a composter with a size of 250 L to 400 L.
Read more about composting on Kompostiljon's website.
Examples of possibilities:
Where should the composter be located?
The composter, composting bin or composting box must be located:
- at least 3 metres away from the neighbouring property
- and 4 metres away from the building
Can be located closer if the owners of neighbouring properties or buildings agree otherwise.
Am I no longer allowed to compost tree leaves and other garden and landscaping waste in my garden in a pile?
Garden and landscaping waste can still be composted in an open box/bin. Food waste must not be composted loosely, because it causes the spread of rodents, insects, etc.
For garden and landscaping waste, composting is perfectly acceptable like this:
- Tips for using a composter
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- Getting started with a composter: a metal grate goes into the bottom of the composter, through which the leachate drains and flows out of the hose you attached to the outlet. Make sure (push through with a sharp stick or something of the like) that this hole is open so that the liquid can flow freely. You can direct the hose down, under a bush. Since this is strong stuff, it can kill the plants where the liquid is diverted. Another option is to collect the leachate from the end of the hose (in a bottle, etc.) and dilute it with water (approx. 1:100) and use it as a fertiliser in the garden. The liquid flows better if the composter is on a slightly higher surface.
- Place the composter in a location where you can throw bio-waste all year round (e.g. near the municipal solid waste container, so it is convenient to take out different types of waste at the same time). By placing the composter in the corner of the garden, you will have to make your way there through the snow in winter, too. You must not throw bio-waste in municipal solid waste bins!!
- At the bottom of the composter, put a layer of dry mix/sawdust approx. 10 cm thick and then empty the food waste collected in the household into the composter + add a little dry mix (peat, sawdust, napkins, etc.) on top every time. Use the stirring stick to mix through the top layer.
- During the summer period, keep the ventilation opening on the largest option, i.e. 6, to let oxygen into the composter. During the winter period, set the ventilation opening to the smallest one, i.e. 1. You can change it yourself over time.
- If the composter has a temperature display, it does not need to be monitored all the time. Because composting is happening even if the display does not show a high temperature. At the beginning of summer, you could check the bottom hatch to see if compost is already coming out. Pull out the compost layer from the bottom and use it in the garden. The rest of the composter mixture will sink down.
- In addition to the food waste composter, garden and landscaping waste can be composted in a pile in the garden. Pine needles and nut/egg shells are difficult to compost. You can add them to the composter, but there is no guarantee that they will compost. Pine needles/nut shells can also be placed in an open compost bin.
- You can also put bones in the composter, but you will quickly see that they do not break down in the composter and end up in your garden together with the compost. Therefore, put bones in municipal solid waste.
- Citrus peels can be put in the composter, mixed with other food waste. However, putting them in there in bulk can prevent composting from starting, as citrus peels are anti-bacterial. Just adding a couple of orange or lemon peels doesn't hurt.
- Large bio-waste, e.g. peels, should be cut into smaller pieces, so they compost faster. For example, a whole watermelon/pumpkin rind composts more slowly than small pieces.
- In terms of moisture, it is stated in the video that if you squeeze the resulting compost, you can see if it is too wet/dry. Act according to the instructions, i.e. whether to add more wet/dry bio-waste.
- If the composter did not work during the winter and a smelly mass has formed from the collected bio-waste, then one option is to empty the entire contents of the composter (e.g. into a compost pile, if you have one) and start filling the composter from the beginning again. The other option is to mix the mass with dry mix, dry tree leaves, etc.
- If a small amount of insects, worms, larvae enter the composter, that is normal. If there are too many of them, act according to the instructions.
- Do not overload the composter with tree leaves. You should primarily focus on food waste and then add a little dry mix/leaves/napkin pieces etc. each time. Tree leaves can be composted loosely in a compost pile or handed over as part of the leaf collection bag campaign or taken to a waste treatment plant (free of charge up to 600 L at a time).
- Composting is a continuous process. No composter starts working just like that. It needs love and care, tasty bio-waste, mixing and good treatment.
Where can I get more information?
You can find more information about waste on the Tallinn website. In addition, we recommend following the Facebook page of Prügihunt, where you can find additional information about ongoing campaigns and useful tips on how to collect waste by type.
If you have additional questions, the employees of the Circular Economy Department will help you. Or you can write to [email protected].