Packaging waste
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
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.

- cardboard boxes, kraft paper, paper bags and other clean paper packaging;
- non-laminated cardboard, corrugated cardboard.
- 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.

- transparent and coloured glass alcohol bottles, glass jars, syrup bottles and other clean glass packaging (e.g. cosmetic and care product packaging).

- 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:
- Tootjavastutusorganisatsioon OÜ (TVO) phone +372 5300 0011 or Ragn-Sells AS phone 15 155, +372 606 0439 MONDAY to FRIDAY 8am to 5pm
- OÜ Eesti Pakendiringlus (EPR) phone +372 633 9240 MONDAY to FRIDAY 9am to 5pm
- Tallinn Waste Recycling Centre phone +372 609 6410 and +372 609 6530 MONDAY to FRIDAY 8:15am to 5pm
- Estonian Environmental Services phone +372 640 0800 MONDAY to FRIDAY 9am to 5pm
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.
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.
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:
- Eight public packaging waste points were established around the Old Town (November 2022)
- From the blog of the Ministry of Rural Affairs: what packaging should you prefer if you want to buy food in your own containers?
- About packages from the website of the Ministry of the Environment
- About food packaging and materials from the Agriculture and Food Board’s webpage.
- Packaging Act