Developing cross-border solutions for optimizing the collection, processing, and production of PET plastic waste in Karelia and Finland

Specialists of the Institute of Forestry, Engineering and Construction Sciences study the issue of solid municipal waste management. The research is done within the framework of PetrSU strategic project “New High Technologies for the Preservation of Unique Natural Environment and Provision of Environmental Safety in the Region”.

Last year, PetrSU, the Flagship University of the Republic of Karelia, carried out two fundamental studies. On the basis of the results, the Republic of Karelia began to implement a new approach to the management of solid municipal waste (SMW). This includes a regional waste management program and new relevant standards for SMW production intended for the population and legal entities.

“The accepted new standards have increased significantly since the last research, which affected the cost of utilities and hence raises many questions from the public and enterprises.

 Also, over the past few months, a new waste management strategy has been detailed and explained at the roundtable event “PetrSU as the Flagship University center for the social and economic development of the Republic of Karelia”. The events took place in Kostomuksha, Segezha, Olonets, and Petrozavodsk. In the future, such work will be carried out in other regions,” – shared Elena Grafova, the Associate Professor of the Department of Technology and Construction Organization of the Institute of Forestry, Mining and Construction Sciences and the manager of the project.

In the autumn of 2018, the bilateral cooperation agreement was signed with the regional SMW handling provider of the Republic of Karelia Avtospetstrans LLC.

The work is being carried out to implement the Decree No. 306-P of the Government of the Republic of Karelia of September 6, 2017 "On approval of the procedure for collecting solid municipal waste in the Republic of Karelia", according to which from January 1, 2019 a separate collection of SMW should be introduced in Karelia.

Right now the population and the infrastructure of Karelia are not prepared for the separation of waste into all fractions. The decision is to gradually switch to separate waste collection. The 1st stage is the organized collection of PET plastic and organic waste.

“Also in October of this year, PetrSU and Avtospetstrans LLC developed and filled an application for the CBC Karelia international competition on the topic “Developing cross-border solutions for optimizing the collection, processing, and production of PET plastic waste in Karelia and Finland”, which received the short name “ZERO PLASTIC”, the main idea of which is the introduction of new technologies and the development of PET-plastic processing facilities,” said Elena Grafova.