Oulu waste centre stored asbestos improperly for weeks

A waste management company in Oulu stored mixed waste alongside asbestos for weeks in violation of regulations, an investigation by Yle has revealed.

Kiertokaari, the operator of the Rusko waste centre, left uncovered mixed waste in the asbestos collection area for over two weeks, contrary to landfill regulations and its environmental permit conditions, according to the Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority.

Landfill regulations require that only waste confirmed or suspected to contain asbestos may be brought to the collection area, and that all waste delivered must be covered daily. Photographs taken by Yle in May and June show that parts of the area remained uncovered.

The mixed waste, delivered around 18 May, was suspected by staff to be non-asbestos material but was left in place for about a week before confirmation. Even after confirmation, the bags remained in the asbestos area for another 10 days before removal.

“The area should have been covered. The landfill regulation requires daily covering in the asbestos area,” said Sinikka Koikkalainen, head of supervision at the Licensing and Supervision Authority. “Non-asbestos waste must not be placed in the asbestos area. The procedure was clearly in violation of the environmental permit and landfill regulations.”

Kiertokaari’s managing director Sami Hirvonen initially told Yle on 8 June that asbestos waste had not been covered as required. Later the same day, he revised his statement, claiming the white bags visible in images were mixed waste and that asbestos areas had been covered properly. He admitted, however, that leaving mixed waste in the asbestos pit was an error.

Hirvonen said the mixed waste was delivered without the company’s knowledge, though regulations require the operator to inspect all incoming waste. The company has since reviewed procedures and updated staff instructions.

Koikkalainen warned that similar asbestos handling issues may exist at other Finnish landfills.