Waste crisis escalates as Vilnius mayor accuses Energesman of pressure tactics

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas has accused waste management company Energesman of worsening the waste processing crisis in the capital region by refusing to hand over control of a sorting plant to the Vilnius Regional Waste Management Centre (VAATC), according to a report by LRT.

In a Facebook post, Benkunskas stated that the company continues to accept waste, increasing stockpiles and fire risks, despite the termination of its contract last week due to major violations. He urged all eight municipalities in the Vilnius region to unite in addressing the issue, calling it a regional challenge rather than just a city problem.

The mayor also revealed that his wife has received harassing phone calls, alleging that the company is using underhanded tactics to pressure those involved. “Involving family members in these matters is absolutely unacceptable,” he wrote.

Benkunskas emphasized that VAATC must take over the plant’s management to stop the accumulation of waste and ensure proper sorting and incineration processes. “Only this way do we have a chance to resolve this crisis and avoid greater harm to the environment and residents,” he said.

VAATC terminated its contract with Energesman last week, citing failures in fulfilling obligations. The company, however, claims it has complied with the agreement and called the termination unjustified. Energesman reported that waste sorting at the plant has resumed, with waste being sent to the Vilnius Combined Heat and Power Plant (VKJ) for incineration since Tuesday. The company states that around 21,000 tons of waste are stored at the site, below the 24,000-ton limit set by environmental permits.

In response to the disruptions, Vilnius City Municipality decided to temporarily redirect mixed municipal waste from the region to the Kazokiškės landfill.