Accessibility
 °C
Search for information, services, etc.

Packaging waste

Packaging waste

Packaging waste includes both packaging with a deposit label (so-called deposit packaging) and used packaging without a deposit label. Collect packaging separately from other waste as this way the packaging materials end up being recycled and the use of natural resources is reduced. You have already paid the costs of recycling the packaging when you bought the packaged goods. 

The collection of packaging waste is not part of organised waste transport in the city of Tallinn and packaging waste can be taken to a public package waste disposal point or a waste treatment plant. It is also possible to organise local collection yourself by ordering the corresponding service from a recycling organisation.


Public packaging waste disposal point

Cardboard and paper packaging, glass packaging, plastic-metal packaging, beverage cartons and other packaging (e.g. wooden packaging) are collected in separate containers in waste treatment plants and public package waste disposal points in Tallinn.

If the container or containers at the packaging waste disposal point are full, report this to the contact number of the container manager written on the package container: ETO +372 640 3240, TVO +372 681 1480 and EPR +372 633 9240.
Find the nearest package waste disposal point to your home on the map.

 

What container should I throw the packaging into?

In the absence of a container for glass packaging and cardboard and paper packaging, packaging made of other mentioned materials can be thrown into the container of plastic-metal packaging and beverage cartons.

pappjapaberpakend.png
Cardboard and paper packaging include:
  • cardboard boxes, kraft paper, paper bags and other clean paper packaging;
  • non-laminated cardboard, corrugated cardboard.
Things that aren’t suitable:
  • waste paper (such as newspapers, magazines, books, envelopes, notebooks, advertising leaflets and catalogues) or dirty and waterlogged cardboard and paper packaging. Dispose of waste paper in a paper and cardboard waste container on your property or take it to a waste treatment plant.
klaaspakend.png
Glass packaging includes:
  • transparent and coloured glass alcohol bottles, glass jars, syrup bottles and other clean glass packaging (e.g. cosmetic and care product packaging).
plastmetalljoogikartong.png
Plastic and metal packaging and beverage cartons include:
  • yoghurt and butter cups, oil, ketchup and mayonnaise bottles;
  • cosmetic and care product packaging (for example, shampoo bottles);
  • plastic dishes and containers and other clean plastic packaging;
  • metal lids and caps for food and beverage packaging;
  • food cans and containers;
  • cardboard milk and juice packages;
  • cardboard baked goods’ boxes and other clean cardboard packaging;
  • beverage bottles, plastic bags, packaging film.

Which packages can be thrown into the packaging container?

  • The packages thrown into the packaging waste container must be empty, free of food and other residues as much as possible. The packages do not need to be thoroughly washed - rinsing is enough. If rinsing does not clean the packaging of food, the packaging should be thrown into the municipal solid waste container.
  • Packaging containing food, plastic toys, packaging containing dangerous substances (e.g. household chemicals, glue, paint and solvent packaging), aerosol bottles, window and sheet glass, light bulbs, diapers, mirror glass, glass and ceramic dishes and pots, used cardboard dishes and cups, foil and copy paper must not be thrown into the package collection containers.


Containers for package waste. Photo source: TVO webpage

On-site collection of packages without a deposit label

The collection of packaging and package waste is not included in the organised waste collection in the city of Tallinn, but it is possible to organise local collection yourself by ordering the corresponding service from a recycling organisation. The following recycling organisations offer the opportunity to hand over packaging free of charge.

See the requirements for the design of a packaging point: design conditions.
 

Container emptying for plastic-metal packaging, beverage cartons and glass packaging (plastic-metal packaging and beverage cartons, glass packaging, excl. paper and cardboard) can be ordered from:

The emptying of the glass waste container, including glass packaging, can be ordered from: The package bag service for private houses can be ordered from:

A container for packaging waste can be purchased or rented from a company that offers emptying. Hardware stores also offer containers, for example. It is important to make sure before buying a container that the container is suitable for emptying packaging waste (it is recommended to ask the packaging waste emptying service provider for confirmation on the container's suitability).

Please note that the city of Tallinn does not organise local collection for package waste. In the event of problems, the content of the signed contract must be taken into account. Before concluding the contract, it is necessary to clarify what the rights and obligations of the parties are.

Deposit packages

Deposit packages are drink packages that the consumer pays a deposit for in addition to the price of the product. The return of the deposit takes place at a reverse vending machine after handing over the empty packages. Their locations can be found on the online map below, on the city's online map or on the Estonian Packaging Company’s website. The deposit package can be recognised by the deposit mark on the package label, which indicates the type of package, the volume and the value of the deposit. 

The deposit covers glass, plastic and metal packaging for beer, low-ethanol alcoholic drinks, cider and soft drinks. The recycling organisation Estonian Packaging Company organises the collection, transport, sorting, counting and recycling of deposit packages. You can read about the returning of deposit packages on the Estonian Package Company’s webpage.

Pandipakendite tagastamine poes

 

 

Returning deposit packages in shops

  • A seller of packaged goods whose sales location has an area of 200 m² or more must organise the return of packages with a deposit during the trading hours of the sales location or its service area.
  • A seller of goods whose sales location is less than 200 m² must display information and contact information about the nearest reverse vending machine.

Public packaging waste points on the map

Select a point on the map for more information.

Read more about packaging waste:

Last modified 21.02.2024