The issue of waste management in the Vilnius region continues to be addressed today after a fire on Sunday halted the operations of the capital's waste sorting plant. Although quick and coordinated solutions are expected from UAB "VAATC", which is responsible for organizing the waste management system of all eight municipalities in the Vilnius region, Vilnius district The situation remains complicated.
Vilnius District Mayor Robert Duchnevič emphasizes that a prerequisite is not only waste collection, but also a smart decision in organizing temporary waste management - its transportation, storage, and proper disposal.
"Currently, we are still waiting for clear and rational solutions regarding waste management. The proposed interim options are not sufficient, as they pose additional challenges to our municipality in the field of logistics and complicate the daily waste management process. However, I am pleased that today, from this morning, in Vilnius district Waste removal is already underway.
"The garbage trucks of Vilnius district municipal companies, which were full yesterday, unloaded waste at the Vilnius regional non-hazardous waste landfill in Elektrėnai municipality this morning, therefore, the collection of undelivered waste from residents continues. We plan that today all vehicles will be loaded as much as possible and will once again take waste to the landfill in Elektrėnai. In order to cause as little inconvenience to residents as possible, waste collection will continue in the evening, since it was agreed that the landfill will also operate tomorrow," says Robert Duchnevič, Mayor of Vilnius District Municipality.
R. Duchnevič also noted that he understands the concerns and dissatisfaction of the mayor of the neighboring Elektrėnai municipality regarding the intensive transportation of waste to their regional landfill, which causes large traffic flows and inconvenience to local residents.
It is preliminary estimated that about 170 tons of mixed waste may not be collected in the Vilnius district at this time. After today's intensive work, the schedule is about a day and a half behind schedule.
"While we are looking for optimal solutions for the management of unsorted waste, it is now very important that each of us carefully sorts the waste generated in our households. Properly sorted waste is successfully directed for recycling or other appropriate treatment, the main challenge currently arises from mixed municipal waste."
"We sincerely invite residents to be aware and not to throw unauthorized items near household waste containers. Municipal public order officers will be on duty and monitor the situation to ensure that the established rules are followed," says Vytautas Vansavičius, Director of Vilnius District Municipality Administration and Head of Emergency Management.
V. Vansavičius also indicated that as the head of the Vilnius District Municipality Emergency Operations Center, he signed an order to transport part of the mixed waste to UAB "Alytaus regiono atliekų tvarkymo centras", whose processing facilities are capable of receiving up to 60 tons of mixed municipal waste: "We are now waiting for UAB "VAATC" and UAB "Alytaus regiono atliekų tvarkymo centras" to sign an agreement so that we can start the removal, although it is logistically difficult, we have no other option yet. We very much hope for UAB "VAATC"'s decision on waste transshipment, which will help ensure proper provision of waste management services to residents in our municipality."
We encourage everyone to sort their waste carefully and responsibly. We remind you that it is prohibited to throw waste in places not designated for it.
