Regulation “Procedures for the classification and nomenclature of waste” waste is divided into two categories: non-hazardous waste and hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste are wastes which, because of their properties, may endanger human health, property or the environment. They may contain chemicals, heavy metals and other compounds harmful to health or the environment. Hazardous waste may be corrosive, flammable or toxic.
In Estonia, most hazardous waste is generated in the oil shale industry, but also in the chemical and manufacturing industries, waste management, the transport sector (end-of-life vehicles and oil-containing waste) and construction and demolition sites.
If hazardous waste is generated during the course of a business' operations, it is important to make sure that waste is managed properly. The costs of the safe handling and storage of hazardous waste are borne by the owner. It is important to know what hazardous waste is and where to take it or how to treat it.
AS ALARA accepts hazardous waste at the hazardous waste management centre in Vaivara.
Collection of hazardous waste
Hazardous waste will be accepted at designated waste facilities or collection points where it will be managed in an environmentally and human-friendly way, with particular attention to ensuring that it does not leak into the environment and is safe for people to handle. Hazardous waste collection rounds are also organised from time to time, for more information contact your local authority.
Hazardous waste storage and collection
The storage of hazardous waste is regulated to prevent harm to human health or the environment.
- Hazardous waste is collected separately from other waste. It is important to avoid both hazardous waste being mixed with non-hazardous waste and different types of hazardous waste. The mixing of different types of hazardous waste can, in the worst case, lead to dangerous situations, such as catching fire or harming human health.
- Hazardous waste is collected in tightly sealed, leak-proof containers that must be clearly labelled according to the contents and safety requirements. When placing hazardous waste in containers, the labels must be checked carefully to ensure that each type of waste is placed in the correct container.
- Hazardous waste shall be stored in a specially designated place which complies with the required conditions.
- The storage site for hazardous waste must be restricted and accessible only to authorised persons.
Hazardous waste is then transferred to an authorised operator for further treatment.
Landfilling of hazardous waste
Hazardous waste is temporarily stored and handed over to a licensed operator authorised to transport and dispose of hazardous waste. The existence of an environmental permit for the transport of hazardous waste can be checked by from the KOTKAS information system.
The transport of hazardous waste for landfill must be based on the following rules waste law and on road transport legislation the requirements set out in. Each consignment must be accompanied by a hazardous waste consignment note, which must be recorded. in the Hazardous Waste Shipments Information System.
Retrieved from hazardous waste can be recycled, recovered or disposed of by incineration, but there is also hazardous waste that can only be disposed of by landfilling.
According to the Environment Portal there are five hazardous waste landfills - one of them is the Vaivara hazardous waste landfill.
