Jätehuoltotoiminnan

Jätehuoltotoiminta refers to the management of waste in Finland. It encompasses a wide range of activities and systems designed to handle, collect, transport, treat, and dispose of waste generated by households, businesses, and public institutions. The primary goal of jätehuoltotoiminta is to minimize environmental impact, protect public health, and promote resource efficiency.

The Finnish waste management system is based on the principles of the waste hierarchy, which prioritizes prevention, reuse, recycling, and energy recovery before disposal. Municipalities are responsible for organizing waste collection services for households within their territories, often through private companies. Different waste streams, such as mixed waste, biowaste, paper, glass, metal, and hazardous waste, are collected separately to facilitate recycling and proper treatment.

Legislation plays a crucial role in regulating jätehuoltotoiminta. The Waste Act (Jätelaki) sets out the framework for waste management, defining responsibilities for producers, consumers, and waste management operators. Extended producer responsibility schemes are in place for various product groups, such as packaging, electronics, and batteries, making producers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products.

Treatment methods for waste include composting and anaerobic digestion for biowaste, incineration with energy recovery for non-recyclable waste, and landfilling for residual waste. Recycling operations recover valuable materials that can be used as raw materials in new products. Hazardous waste requires specialized treatment to prevent environmental contamination. Continuous efforts are made to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, aligning with national and EU environmental objectives.