THE REORGANISATION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT IN HARJU COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES THROUGH A WASTE MANAGEMENT COOPERATION AND COMPETENCE CENTRE. A SOCIOECONOMICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY

Abstract

The current paper presents the socio-economical feasibility study on the reorganisation of waste management in Harju County through waste management cooperation centre. The objective of the research was to estimate the improvement of administrative efficiency, and economical costeffectiveness resulting from reorganisation of waste management administration. In the analysis two different scenarios were assessed in comparison of the current situation (basic scenario) from the aspects of economical and administrative cost-effectiveness. The waste management situation and cash flow, including waste collection services, source sorting options, waste holders and municipal budgets of waste management administration were mapped. Also a risk assessment of the qualitative indicators was compiled. The main problems of the basic scenario stand in the administrative inefficiency and financial shortage of waste management. The analysed project scenarios enable to improve both administrative efficiency, and solve the funding issue through the direct implementation of polluter pays principle. The municipalities delegate particular waste management duties to the cooperation organisation which reduces the administrative load in municipalities. The public collection network for sorted waste is taken over by the cooperation organisation as well as public awareness raising activities. The financing model of the public waste management bases on the budgets of the municipalities. In case of the fullscale scenario some of the public waste management expenses are integrated into the waste collection fee as administrative expenses. The main results of the research showed that the municipalities can win both financially and in administrative efficiency from the reorganisation of waste management through the cooperation centre.