Waste management regulations
Waste management regulations
Municipal waste management regulations are local rules on waste management based on the Waste Act.
Waste management regulations cover topics such as joining the municipal waste management system, sorting and collecting waste and self-treatment of waste. The purpose of the regulations is to ensure that waste management is efficient and does not harm the environment or health.
The municipal environmental protection authorities supervise compliance with the Waste Act and the waste management regulations.
The current waste management regulations were approved by the Regional Waste Management Committee on May 19, 2021. Amendments to the regulations have been approved in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Mixed waste collection areas
The Waste Management Committee has decided on the collection areas for mixed waste. In these areas, all residential properties must have their own or a shared mixed waste bin with nearby properties.
The mixed waste collection areas are extending by municipality between 2024 and 2029.
Check the map below to see if your property is already within a mixed waste collection area or will be included in the near future. Click on the map to see the implementation dates for the areas.
Separate collection obligations for biowaste and other recyclable waste
The waste management regulations require the sorting and separate collection of recyclable waste. Recyclable waste must be separately collected from residential properties as follows:
Properties with 5 or more apartments:
- Biowaste
- Cardboard packaging
- Small metal items
- Glass packaging
- Plastic packaging
- Paper (as defined in the Waste Act, § 49 and 50)
Properties with 1-4 apartments, located within the biowaste obligation area:
- Biowaste
The biowaste collection obligation applies to all residential properties, including holiday homes, located within the biowaste obligation area.
Biowaste obligation area
The Regional Waste Management Committee has defined the biowaste obligation area in the waste management regulations. This area covers parts of Tampere, Kangasala, Lempäälä, Nokia, Pirkkala and Ylöjärvi.
Residential properties in the area must have their own or a shared biowaste bin with nearby properties. Alternatively, biowaste can be composted in accordance with waste management regulations.
The waste management authority reviews the definition of the biowaste obligation area at least every five years.
Check the map below to see if your property is located in the biowaste obligation area.
Exemption from waste management regulations
The waste management authority may grant an exemption from the waste management regulations in an individual case, if the organisation of waste management requires it for a valid reason. Exemption must not cause harm to the environment or health and it cannot exempt from statutory obligations.
You can submit an application via the waste management authority's e-service (in Finnish). You can log in using your banking credentials or a mobile certificate.
Organisation of waste management
Waste management is organised by Pirkanmaan Jätehuolto, a waste management company owned by 17 municipalities in the area.
You can also find this page at: tampere.fi/jatehuoltomaaraykset