Company buried 8.2 cubic metres of waste on Vilnius land

A construction company unlawfully buried 8.2 cubic metres of mixed construction waste on land owned by Vilnius municipality, the Environmental Protection Department said, according to LRT.

Environmental officers went to the location after receiving a report about a video posted on social media showing waste being buried. They stopped the work and found that the company, Kijota, had buried wood, plastic, glass, iron, steel and aluminium in the ground while carrying out excavation work.

The company removed the waste and collected it the same day. Because smaller pieces could not immediately be separated from the soil, Kijota was also ordered to sift the sand and remove any remaining waste. All collected waste must be handed to authorised waste handlers.

The department has asked Vilnius municipality to provide any permit issued to Kijota for excavation work on municipal land, as well as the project for the work. Administrative proceedings have been opened over the violation.

The responsible person could face a fine of 2,300 to 2,900 euros for polluting the environment with at least five cubic metres of non-hazardous waste. The company could also be fined between 3,900 and 8,400 euros.