Areas of Activity
The Kaunas Regional Waste Management System operates on the principle of merging and cooperating across county territories. The aim of this cooperation is to manage waste collectively. On March 2, 2005, the municipalities of Kaunas City, Kaunas District, Kaišiadorys, Jonava, Kėdainiai, Raseiniai, and UAB 'Kauno švara' established the Public Institution 'Kaunas Regional Waste Management Center' (hereinafter referred to as Kaunas RATC). The main function of Kaunas RATC is to implement and operate a regional waste management system that encompasses the collection, processing, recycling, and disposal of waste throughout the territories administered by the municipalities.
About Us
The Public Institution Kaunas Regional Waste Management Center was established on March 2, 2005, with the aim of creating a sustainable and harmonious waste management system in the Kaunas region. The institution's stakeholders include 6 municipalities of the Kaunas County (Kaunas City, Kaunas District, Kaišiadorys, Jonava, Kėdainiai, Raseiniai) and UAB 'Kauno švara'. The region's municipalities committed, through the Establishment Agreement, to adhere to unified principles for creating the waste management system to ensure the successful implementation of this nationally significant project.
The project 'Creation of the Kaunas Regional Waste Management System' was allocated 63.6 million LTL from EU and national funds, with 75% financed by the EU Cohesion Fund. The project duration was from 2004 to 2009.
The project 'Creation of the Kaunas Regional Waste Management System' was allocated 63.6 million LTL from EU and national funds, with 75% financed by the EU Cohesion Fund. The project duration was from 2004 to 2009.
Landfills
Kaunas RATC operates two landfills – the Lapiai landfill in Kaunas District and the Zabieliškis landfill in Kėdainiai District. Only residual municipal waste, which is unsuitable for recycling or other use, is disposed of in these landfills. Waste disposal is carried out in compliance with strict environmental requirements – waste is layered and covered, landfill gases are collected, and the emitted leachate is controlled.
Sites
In large waste collection sites, the following waste is accepted from residents free of charge: furniture, household appliances, hazardous waste, tires, etc. Currently, there are 15 sites operating in the Kaunas region.
Many sites have item sharing points called 'Giveaways', where items that are still suitable for use find new owners.
Many sites have item sharing points called 'Giveaways', where items that are still suitable for use find new owners.
Kaunas MBA and Zabieliškis MAR
Kaunas RATC operates two waste treatment facilities – the Kaunas Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) and the Zabieliškis Mechanical Sorting (MS) facilities. In these facilities, mixed municipal waste is sorted, materials suitable for recycling are separated, and biodegradable fractions are stabilized. This activity helps reduce the amount of waste in landfills and promotes a circular economy.
