Several local news media report that Estonian recycler Nelitäht in mid-June opened the Baltic state’s first facility capable of recycling soiled plastic containers. Located in the capital city of Tallinn, the facility, which includes infra-red technology as well as a new washing, drying and packaging line, will break down the waste into recyclate resin that can be used for a range of construction materials, including pallets, pipes and crates.

The new facility, output of which remains unknown, came at an investment cost of almost EUR 1m, half of which was funded by the Estonian Environmental Investment Centre (Tallinn; www.kik.ee/en), with the European Cohesion Fund financing the remaining 50%. The Baltic nation collects about 20,000 t/y of plastic waste, which – depending on its quality – is either ends up in landfill, is burnt as waste fuel or reused.