Waste cycle

We developed a 6-part recycling system for the 2019 festival and for the first time created a waste management team that was led by two aces in the field. The purpose of the sorting system is to get as much clean material from the waste as possible in order to recycle it. Let’s clear some things up a little. The difference between recycling and reusing is that the first doesn’t include burning the waste to produce energy, but reprocessing it in such a way that a new cycle of use is created. Since we were already putting so much effort into it, we got curious, what happens to our litter. We started to investigate what are the options for waste recycling in Estonia and based on that, what could one possible route of the waste, that is generated at our festival, look like. This process took us on a long journey to different places around Estonia and the waste recycling video is the outcome of this adventure.  

Efficient recycling is connected to the circular economy model. Current linear model, also known as the produce-consume-throw away model, is not sustainable as Earth’s resources are limited. And since the manufacturers do not pay attention to how and to what extent the product could be recycled later on, it also generates insane amounts of useless waste which has become one of the most pressing environmental problems. The circular economy model however, prioritises preventing the waste production in the first place.The solutions for reusing are a second option. This means that the design of the materials and products has to consider ways for repurposing the product later on, all the while minimising the production of litter, incineration of waste and deposition of it in the environment. The waste is recycled only when there are no other ways for reducing or reusing..

We are at the beginning of the transition. Right now, only 28%. of mixed waste is recycled in Estonia. Most of it travels to the Iru power plant to be burned. It’s better than accumulating but overall not a viable solution. The objectives set by the European Union aren’t achievable if more waste isn’t sorted and recycled than before, especially biodegradable and plastic waste. And at the same time circular economy is a way to turn environmental problems into economical opportunities and develop new business models that would benefit both the environment and us.

Although Estonia’s capability of recycling is limited, there are plenty of organisations that give their best to do just that and our project is the living proof of it. With the help of these businesses we can show you where we’re headed. We would like to thank all the companies who joined us in the making of this waste video: Eesti Pakendiringlus OÜ, Nutriloop OÜ, Paikre OÜ, Neular OÜ, Krynicki Glass Recycling OÜ, O-I Estonia AS, Räpina Paberivabrik AS and Nelitäht OÜ.We would like to thank all the companies who joined us in the making of this waste video: Eesti Pakendiringlus OÜ, Nutriloop OÜ, Paikre OÜ, Neular OÜ, Krynicki Glass Recycling OÜ O-I Estonia AS, Räpina Paberivabrik AS and Nelitäht OÜ. Look at the video in Youtube.

Project manager: Kadi Aguraijuja

Video: Dima Kalenda

Narrator: Riho Västrik

Drone shots: Tanel Luige