Solid waste management in Kaunas, Lithuania 

Based on a grant from the Danish Ministry of Environment, the Danish consulting firms of COWI and Moe & Brødsgaard carried out a feasibility study on future collection, recycling and disposal of municipal waste and waste management organisation in Kaunas City. The need for immediate and medium-term improvements in the operative system and the institutional system was identified, and an action programme was proposed.

In accordance with the action programme, the project continued with the following:

• Immediate improvement if landfill and design of new landfill sections including on-site treatment of leachate from the landfill.
• Implementation of modern methods and equipment in collection, transfer and transport of waste and in-source separation of recyclable materials.
• Implementation of a modern business management system for the waste collection company and a waste registration system at landfill and transfer station.
• Preparatory work for establishing a joint venture between the Municipal Waste Collection Company SVARA and a Danish waste company.
• Municipal legislative framework within solid waste management.
• Training courses for Kaunas waste specialists in Denmark.
• Transfer of know-how to Lithuania through workshops and seminars.
• Financial analysis on SVARA including affordability for citizens in Kaunas.

The Project included Danish supply of weighbridge equipment, landfill monitoring equipment, collection and transportation equipment, a wood crusher for treatment of garden waste as well as PC software and hardware for the waste registration system and the management system including training in operating the systems. The project was carried out by the Danish consultants and a Lithuanian expert team from Kaunas Municipality, SVARA and local consulting companies.