Vilnius district The municipality is introducing a new environmental initiative – it is planned to install semi-underground container waste management sites in garden communities in 2025–2026. This measure will not only contribute to more efficient waste management, but will also help solve the problem in garden community territories, where it is quite difficult to organize waste collection from individual containers.
"This is a step forward in creating a more comfortable and cleaner environment for the residents of Vilnius District. In garden communities, where we face certain challenges due to land management decisions made in the past, such as roads that are too narrow for waste collection vehicles to pass or there is no possibility to build individual municipal waste containers, semi-underground container sites will become an excellent solution, which we are starting with this year," says Vilnius District Vice Mayor Dr. Danuta Narbut.
The installation of container yards will be financed from the Municipality budget.
D. Narbut notes that the capacity of semi-underground containers, compared to old containers, is 5 times larger. 5 stationary containers are replaced by 1 semi-underground, and 1 semi-underground container site replaces 20 ordinary above-ground containers. The waste entering them is much better isolated from the environment, deteriorates more slowly and does not emit odors. In addition, the capacity of semi-underground containers is larger, so they are emptied less often, which reduces air pollution and noise, as well as maintenance costs.
The municipality is already starting cooperation with the chairmen of gardener associations
By May 2025, 31, the chairmen of the gardening associations will have to select locations suitable for semi-underground container sites. The locations must be agreed upon at the general meeting of the gardening association members, and the coordinates of the locations and the minutes of the meeting must be submitted to the municipal administration.
"We invite garden associations to actively contribute. Only together can we achieve the best results and ensure that the new sites truly meet the needs of residents. This measure is not about rules, but about cooperation and a common goal," urges Vice Mayor Dr. Danuta Narbut.
The municipality reminds that locations for container sites must be selected on state land, the site should be convenient to use and service - conveniently accessible for waste collection vehicles. Avoid locations that may pose a threat to water bodies or other natural areas.
The sites will be adapted to the size of the selected plot and the infrastructure there, which will determine the number and capacity of containers. Preparatory work begins now, in accordance with the provisions of Vilnius District Municipality Council Decision No. T2024-20 of 3 December 408 “On the Approval of the Waste Management Rules of Vilnius District Municipality” paragraph 3 and paragraph 27 of the Waste Management Rules of Vilnius District Municipality approved by this decision.
After selecting possible locations, the chairmen of the gardening associations should submit all necessary information to Tatjana Ringelevičienė, Chief Specialist of the Environmental Protection Department of the Vilnius District Municipality Administration, by e-mail: [email protected]If you have any questions, please contact us by phone at +370 5 240 1377.
