ESTONIAN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 2009

9.8. Recovery of waste
Recovery of waste to as great an extent as possible is
one of the top priorities for waste management, apart
from avoiding waste generation in the first place. Reuse
of waste is preferred followed by recycling as material or
raw material and only then, the use of the potential energy
contained in the waste. This hierarchy requires that waste
be separately collected and that waste handling centres
be established. Waste stations have been established in
all of the larger populated areas in counties. In 2007,
Estonia had 29 waste stations, while in 2008, there were
already 61 D waste stations and collection points. Waste
stations and collection points are the first collection site
for recoverable waste generated in domestic households.
It is important that they have good accessibility, located in
a public place and relatively close to the waste producer.
In accordance with the objective set forth in the waste
management plan, at least 70 waste stations should be
established by the year 2013.
waste generation
The waste recovery process is impacted by a number of
economic measures, such as pollution charge, packaging
excise duty and the principle of producers’ responsibility,
which has been implemented in addition to packaging
waste for used tyres and WEEE as well.
Almost 100% of the waste from the wood processing
industry is recovered. Much oil shale mining waste,
construction and demolition waste (including excavated
soil), waste generated in agriculture, dairy industry
waste, metal, waste water treatment, garden and yard
waste is recovered as well. Many kinds of water-based
liquid waste, such as is generated in producing electricity
or in the cellulose and paper industry, are recovered
but this is not recovery in the usual sense; rather it is
on-site recovery which stems from the nature of production
technology. Recovery also is considered to include
preparatory activities of recovery – collecting waste for
processing, sorting mixed waste and crushing waste.
Metal and construction waste is the most common type
of waste that undergoes crushing and sorting before its
ultimate recovery.
25000.000000
25 000
20 000
15 000
recovery of waste
target: 50% by 2013
16666.666667
thousands of tonnes
10 000
5 000
0
10 848
1 336
11 616
1 560
12 839
1 805
14 397
2 622
18 399
4 247
17 501
4 406
18 496
5 554
20 012
7 458
21 237
6 745
8333.333333
0.000000
1999
2000
2001 2002 2003 2004
2005 2006
2007
Figure 9.11. Generation of hazardous waste in 1999–2007. Data: EEIC.
recycling or reclamation of
organic substances – R3; 17%
recycling or reclamation of
inorganic substances – R5; 35%
land treatment resultin in
benefit to agriculture or
ecological improvement – R10; 35%
collection of waste for processing
including sorting of mixed waste – R13; 7%
use primarily as fuel or other
means to generate energy 5%
other 1%
Figure 9.12. Recovery of waste (average distribution) in 2003–2007. Data: EEIC.
D
Ülevaade jäätmehoolduse olukorrast valdades ja linnades. Kas vallad ja linnad on jäätmeseadusest tulenevaid ülesandeid täitnud? (Overview of the situation with waste management in rural
municipalities and cities. Are rural municipalities and cities complying with obligations arising from the Waste Act?) (22.07.2008). Riigikontrolli aruanne Riigikogule. (Report of the State Audit
Office to the Riigikogu.) [WWW] http://www.envir.ee/orb.aw/class=file/action=preview/id=1077573/Ylevaade+jaatmehooldusest.pdf
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