Deputy minister says imported waste does not hinder local waste management

Imported waste does not prevent Lithuania from managing waste generated in the country, Environment Vice-Minister Giedrė Ričiūtė told the Seimas Audit Committee on Wednesday, LRT reported.

Metals make up about 80% or more of imported waste and do not use up incineration capacity, Ričiūtė said. Current statistics do not show that imports are obstructing the management of domestic waste, she added.

Committee chairman Artūras Zuokas said Lithuania imported almost one million tonnes of waste last year, most of it from Russia. According to a presentation to the committee, 47.5% of the waste was exported, 23% recycled, 14.7% treated and 12.3% incinerated.

Zuokas said Lithuania’s lower waste-incineration prices compared with those in other EU countries make it attractive for waste imports.