DEVELOPMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN ESTONIA AND LITHUANIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

摘要

The Baltic States are in the stage of changing their municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems since they have to comply with the principles and targets of the European Union (EU) waste policy and directives. In spite of its lowest priority in the European waste management hierarchy, landfilling has been the predominant method for municipal waste management both for Estonia and Lithuania. The fact that landfilling is the worst option for MSW treatment is generally accepted, however, heavy discussions have been held on the topic of choosing the most optimal waste management solution. In addition, both national and local governments are currently under great pressure to select the appropriate investment priorities in terms of waste management infrastructure projects for the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds. These projects need to be implemented as quickly as possible because the current funding period will end in 2013.