To promote the separate collection of bio-waste, Tallinn is distributing bio-waste collection containers free of charge to everybody interested.

According to Deputy Mayor Joosep Vimma, Tallinn’s residents have become more involved in collecting bio-waste. “While in 2021 an average of 972 tonnes of bio-waste was generated per month in Tallinn, the amount of collected bio-waste increased by almost eight per cent after the distribution of 44,000 bio-waste collection containers at the end of last year,” said Vimm. “So it seems that the city’s outreach work and increasing accessibility have given waste sorting a boost.”

To promote the separate collection of bio-waste, this autumn the city is helping its residents acquire collection containers suitable for using in collection bins, home composters and home kitchens. “This year, 20,000 collection containers are being distributed first and foremost to residents of detached or semi-detached buildings, townhouses or buildings with several flats,” Vimm specified. “But every resident of Tallinn may receive a seven-litre collection container until there are none left, as our goal is to create and give people an opportunity to collect bio-waste separately. Collection containers are distributed to citizens free of charge by district.”

The Tallinn Waste Management Centre acquired 20,000 seven-litre bio-waste collection containers suitable for home kitchens along with compostable bags and an information leaflet. The leaflet contains more details on the necessity of separate bio-waste collection and how it is done. In addition to the collection containers, those who have joined or are joining an organised waste transport service will also receive compostable collection bags (25 in a roll) that will fit into the containers. Bio-waste can be placed in the collection bin either loose, in a paper bag or a compostable bag. If a resident composts food and kitchen waste in a way that meets the requirements of the Tallinn Waste Management Code, the collection container does not need a compostable bag as those bags do not compost well in domestic conditions. In this case, you will receive a collection container and a leaflet, but no collection bags.

Collection containers are distributed by district governments in addition to some districts running separate collection container distribution campaigns and organising information classes on bio-waste or composting.
Collection containers are distributed at Haabersti District Administration (Ehitajate tee 109a/1) on Mondays from 8.15am to 6pm, Tuesdays to Thursdays from 8.15am to 5pm and Fridays from 8.15am to 4pm (lunch break is from 12.15pm to 1pm); the City Centre Government (Nunne 18) on Mondays from 8.15am to 6pm, Tuesdays to Thursdays from 8.15am to 5pm and Fridays from 8.15am to 4pm; Kristiine District Administration (Metalli 5) on Mondays from 2pm to 6pm, Wednesdays from 8.15am to 5pm (lunch break from 1pm to 2pm) and Fridays from 8.15am to 12pm; Lasnamäe District Administration (Pallasti 54) on Mondays from 8.15am to 6pm, Tuesdays to Thursdays from 8.15am to 5pm and Fridays from 8.15am to 4pm; Mustamäe District Government will distribute collection containers until 2 November first and foremost to apartment associations at Pilvetee tn 3 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am to 12pm and from 3 November to anyone who wants one at Mustamäe District Administration (Vilde tee 118) Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 12pm; Nõmme District Administration (Valdeku 13) on Mondays from 8.15am to 6pm; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8.15am to 5pm and Fridays from 8.15am to 4pm; Pirita District Administration (Kloostri tee 6) on Mondays from 3pm to 6pm and Thursdays from 9am to 12pm and Põhja-Tallinn District Administration (Kari 13) Mondays to Fridays from 8.15am to 4pm.

According to the Waste Act, the Tallinn Waste Management Scheme of 2022-2026 and the Tallinn Waste Management Plan, waste must be collected separately. While local governments must have separate bio-waste collection organised by 31 December 2023, Tallinn plans to have that by spring 2023.

Handing over bio-waste to a waste collector with a collection bin as part of an organised waste transport service will be made mandatory for everybody in Tallinn from 1 April 2023. Residents of detached or semi-detached buildings, townhouses or buildings with two flats can choose between composting bio-waste according to requirements themselves or giving it over in a bin. Residents of buildings with more than two flats can also compost themselves, but having a collection bin is mandatory.

At the same time, as part of the Environmental Investment Centre’s project ‘Promotion of separate collection of bio-waste and on-site composting in the city of Tallinn’, support was allocated to the Tallinn Strategic Management Office for the purchase of 140 bio-waste home compost bins and 1000-litre bio-waste collection containers as well as for conducting composting training. In addition, the city acquired 80-litre bio-waste collection containers (4,000 pieces).

Therefore, residents of detached or semi-detached buildings, townhouses or buildings with two flats have been able to apply for bio-waste home composters and collection bins at a discount since 15 September. All of the 700 250-litre bio-waste home composters found new homes in only the first four application days. But there are still applications for 140-litre and 80-litre bio-waste collection bins. For example, a 80-litre bin is recommended and enough for detached and semi-detached buildings, but it is also possible to enter into a shared container use agreement with a neighbouring property. Within 14 days of receiving the collection bin, one must enter into a contract with their local waste collector to empty the bin year-round.

More information on the collection bins’ parameters and the conditions for applying to use them can be found at www.tallinn.ee/et/biojaatmete-kogumisvahendid.