Vilnius municipality holds emergency sessions on waste management crisis

Vilnius municipality is convening two extraordinary sessions to tackle the escalating waste management crisis. The urgent meetings aim to address the complex situation involving multiple stakeholders and a recent takeover of a mechanical-biological treatment (MBA) plant.

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We aim to hear the arguments of all parties involved.

The first session will include Marius Šveikauskas, head of the Vilnius County Waste Management Center (VAATC), Elida Drapienė, director of Vilnius Waste System Administrator (VASA), and representatives from the municipality's energy department and the company Energesman. The goal is to hear arguments from all parties involved.

Following this, an extraordinary session of the entire municipal council will be held, initiated by opposition member Aleksandras Nemunaitis. This session will focus on a proposal to ensure the council is informed about decisions, their justification, and potential financial consequences for the municipality and its residents, aiming to enhance transparency and oversight.

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The waste acceptance, sorting, and biological treatment of waste at the MBA plant have been stabilized, but the situation remains complex.

The crisis intensified when VAATC terminated its contract with Energesman, citing the company's difficulties in fulfilling its obligations. A subsequent court decision allowed VAATC to take over the operations of the MBA plant, a move Energesman plans to appeal. VAATC maintains it has regained control of its facilities rather than taking over the plant itself. Despite the stabilization of waste processing at the plant, the situation remains challenging, with an estimated 40,000 tons of waste on-site.

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We will seek to recover approximately 18 million euros in damages from Energesman.