Sorting and utilizing waste

Waste management in South Karelia

Waste management of properties

sorting

LARGE WASTE ITEMS

WASTE management fees

Sorting and utilizing waste

South Karelia is a pioneer in waste recycling and recovery. Sorting of bio waste has been a practice, since 2002 in all households and leisure homes all over South Karelia and in many municipalities even earlier. Nowadays biowaste is processed in biogas plant in the Kukkuroinmäki Waste Centre and produced to biogas – zero emission fuel to traffic.

Mixed waste – or dry waste, as we call it here in South Karelia – has been recovered to energy since 2013. Today dry waste from households is no longer buried in landfill

We have a comprehensive network of recycling points in South Karelia, 92 points in total. They are operated by Etelä-Karjalan Jätehuolto Oy and RINKI Oy.

We also collect plastic packaging from households in urban areas. This service is optional for smaller housing companies and detached houses.

Cardboard

Yes to carton packaging

Empty, clean, dry, flattened and packed inside one another

Corrugated cardboard boxes
Cartons, e.g. milk and juice cartons
Cardboard containers for ready meals, packaging for dry products
Cartons for dry products, e.g. cereal and biscuit packets
Paper bags
Pizza boxes, egg cartons
Disposable tableware made of cardboard
Toilet and kitchen roll tubes
Wrapping paper, e.g. copy paper wrappings
Cardboard carriers for beverages, e.g. six-packs and cases

Plastic corks from milk, juice and yogurt containers should be put to the plastic packaging, but the collars can stay

No, to carton packaging

Plastic, e.g. plastic bags and wrappings, polystyrene, bubble wrap

Paper

Yes to paper

Newspaper and magazines
Advertisements and brochures
Envelopes with and without windows
White and colored print and copy paper
Telephone and product catalogs
Paperback books
White paper bags

No to paper

Wet or dirty paper
Cardboard or carton
Brown paper or brown paper bags
Plastic
Foil or wax paper
Any kind of wrapping paper, including gift wrappings
Ribbons, tapes

Glass packaging

Empty, with caps and lids removed

Glass bottles
Glass jars

It’s not necessary to remove labels and bottle neck rings. Rinse dirty glass packaging with cold water if necessary.

Please return deposit glass bottles to reverse vending machines in shops!

No to glass packaging

Healthcare packaging such as vials and ampoules
Plastic e.g. plastic bags and wrappings, polystyrene, bubble wrap
Porcelain or ceramics
Glass dishes (e.g. drinking glasses, oven dishes, coffee pots, lids for pots and pans)
Chrystal
Opal glass (e.g. some cosmetics packaging and ornamental objects)
Window or mirrors
Light bulbs or lamps

Any packaging that contains residues of dangerous substances (e.g. medicines, nail polish, etc.) must be taken to hazardous waste collection point (medicines to the pharmacy).

Metal

Yes to metal

Empty, clean and dry

Metal packaging

Tins
Non-deposit beverage cans
Metal lids, caps and closures
Aluminium trays, foil and covers
Paint tins
Non-pressurised aerosol cans

Small metal household items

Pots and pans
Cutlery, scissors and tools
Other small metal objects (nails, screws, fittings, etc.)
Aluminium candle cups

No to metal

Plastic e.g. plastic bags and wrappings, polystyrene, bubble wrap
Coffee bags
Batteries
Electrical equipment

Packaging or items which are too big to fit must be taken to a municipal waste center

Plastic packaging

Yes to plastic packaging

Empty, clean and dry household plastic packaging

Plastic food packaging such as yogurt pots, butter tubs and packaging for cold cuts, cheese and ready meals
Detergent, shampoo and soap packaging
Plastic bottles, cans and jars, preferably flattened
Plastic bags and wrappings

No to plastic packaging

Dirty plastic packaging and mixed waste
PVC packaging
Other plastic products or plastic packaging from firms

Dry waste

Yes to dry waste

Worn clothes
Broken dishes
Vacuum cleaner dust bags
Diapers and anitary towels
Windows and other special glass
Light bulbs and halogen lamps
Combination packaging
Dirty cardboard, paper and plastic packaging
Cat litter

No to dry waste

Bio waste
Hazardous waste
Recyclable waste

Biowaste

Yes to bio waste

Vegetable and fruit skins
Food waste
Coffee filters and biodegradable tea bags
Egg shells, egg cartons and small bones
Kitchen tissue and napkins
Pet cage litter

No to bio waste

Liquids
Plastic
Ash
Other non-biodegradable waste

municipal waste center

Hazardous waste

Yes to hazardous waste collection

Paints, adhesives, varnishes
Aerosols
Acids, bases, solvents
Pesticides
Antifreeze agents and brake fluids
Oils and oil filters
Fluorescent and energy-saving lamps
Rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries
Medicines

No to hazardous waste collection

Explosives –> to police
Fireworks –> to sellers, importers or police
Refrigerators and freezers –> to electrical equipment collection
Halogen lamps, light bulbs –> to dry waste
Impregnated wood –> to municipal waste center or Kukkuroinmäki waste center
Asbestos –> Kukkuorinmäki waste center
Gas cylinders –> to sellers or importers
Radioactive waste

Medicines and thermometers containing mercury must be taken to pharmacy

Batteries and small accumulators can be taken to every store that are selling those.

Electrical equipment

Yes to electrical equipment collection

All equipment powered by alternating current, solar energy, batteries or accumulators
Domestic appliances, freezers, refrigerators
Consumer electronics
Phones
Fluorescent and energy-saving lamps, LED lamps (un-packed)

Where you can take electrical equipment?

Small electrical equipment (exterior dimensions less than 25 cm) to the bigger stores
Big electrical equipment (exterior dimensions more than 25 cm) to every store, if you buy the same kind of electrical equipment there
Kukkuroinmäki waste centre or municipal waste centre