Thousands of Finns fail to comply with mandatory waste separation regulations in Finland

Tens of thousands of Finns have failed to comply with mandatory waste separation regulations regarding organic waste. Some individuals do not sort bio-waste, claiming the requirement is unreasonable. As of July, separating organic waste became mandatory in most Finnish municipalities with populations over 10,000, including multi-apartment buildings and holiday homes.

In response to public inquiries about the impact of waste separation on daily life, several challenges related to personal circumstances and practicality emerged. A resident from Vantaa, Minja Heinonen, previously diligent in waste sorting, shared that family life has made it increasingly difficult. She experienced severe nausea during pregnancy, making it hard to dispose of waste. With young children, leftover waste has piled up, preventing complete adherence to the recycling rules.

Currently, Heinonen’s family places bio-waste in general refuse. She hopes to use the residential waste collection points more often as her children grow. Compliance with waste regulations falls on property owners, who can join a waste organization for separate collection or set up a protected composter for organic waste. However, composting is not a viable solution for everyone.

Many residents struggle with issues like odor and insect infestations from organic waste containers, leading some, like Jenni Brunt, to abandon sorting altogether. The municipalities in South Karelia report the highest cases of unsubmitted declarations, with about 25,000 properties likely failing to report their organic waste disposal method.

Heinonen expresses concern about judgment from neighbors and emphasizes awareness of challenges faced by the elderly and those with mental health issues in adhering to these regulations. Nonetheless, she feels guilty as an environmental advisor, striving to be kinder to herself.