“Waste collection, proper sorting and the management of the biodegradable fraction have stabilised. However, as you saw during your visit to the site, the situation remains difficult, although some of our partners are already sorting waste separately. VAATC is also carrying out sorting,” VAATC Director Marius Švaikauskas told reporters.
“We have already excavated part of the biotunnels so that we can properly process the biodegradable fraction in line with the technological process and send it to the landfill,” he added.
Švaikauskas said agreements had been reached with waste management companies Ecoservice, Ekonovus and Ekobazė on waste sorting.
He warned that if Energesman had continued operating the Vilnius region’s waste sorting plant for several more days, the entire waste management system could have collapsed.
“Essentially, the entire site is buried under unsorted waste. The biotunnels, which host one of the most important processes and the only waste treatment facility in the region, are also buried under thousands or tens of thousands of tonnes of waste,” Švaikauskas said.
He reiterated that the crisis would not lead to higher waste management fees for residents, and that the damages, estimated at around EUR 18 million, would be recovered from Energesman.
Even if the amount is not recovered, waste management fees could not be increased under the approved methodology, which prevents past costs from being included in future regional tariffs, Švaikauskas said.
VAATC, which has taken over operations at the Vilnius waste sorting plant, plans to continue running the facility, while services provided by private companies brought in to help remain temporary.
The situation is expected to fully stabilise within six months, the VAAT director said, while the damaged section of the plant, where mixed municipal waste is ideally sorted, is to be rebuilt.
VAATC terminated its contract with Energesman several weeks ago over the company’s failure to meet its obligations to operate mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) facilities.
Energesman challenged the decision in court, seeking to suspend the termination. The court rejected the request, but granted the company 20 days to remedy the identified breaches. The ruling was issued on 20 July, giving time to Energesman until 7 August to comply. If the breaches are not corrected, the agreement will be considered terminated, VAATC said.