Saaremaa waste stations: residents most eager to dispose of old asbestos roofing
Waste collection stations on the Estonian island of Saaremaa have been running a discounted bulky-waste campaign since February, but resident interest has been low. The biggest unresolved problem remains old roofing material.
Since February, waste reception stations in Sikassaare and Kapra on the Estonian island of Saaremaa have offered a discounted rate for disposing of bulky waste. Despite the offer, interest from local residents has remained weak.
Tauno Ligi, head of the Sikassaare station, told the newspaper Saarte Hääl that interest in bulky-waste disposal this year is noticeably lower than in previous years, meaning there is little risk of the set limit being exhausted. According to Ligi, the items brought in most often are large soft furniture pieces and old cupboards.
Old roofing remains unresolved
Station staff noted that the biggest, still-unresolved problem for Saaremaa residents is old roofing material. Ligi said people are very keen to hand in slate and asbestos sheeting, since the island still has many old barns and roofs covered with it. He added that station management has informed the local municipality about the issue, and a possible next step could be a tender for slate removal, if the municipality has the financial means to fund it.
Two years ago, Saarte Hääl reported that a campaign for free slate disposal on Saaremaa ended almost as soon as it began, even though residents who had waited years for the chance to get rid of their old roofing were willing to queue for hours.
