Two million kilos of rotting slaughterhouse waste trapped in collapsed factory walls in Närpiö

Nearly two million kilos of rotting slaughterhouse waste have been decaying since January inside the premises of Nä-Rö, a bankrupt fur feed company in Närpiö, Finland, Yle reports.

The estate has no funds for cleanup, leaving responsibility to the West Coast environmental authority, which is still tendering for a suitable contractor.

Residents report the stench is worsening daily, with warehouse walls bulging and at risk of collapse. Liquid waste has already begun seeping into the surroundings, and locals fear an infestation of rats. Some have criticized authorities for delays in addressing the issue.

Jonatan Brådd, a resident of Norrnäs, said the situation has become unbearable, with the waste stored just 200 meters from his home. He argued that authorities should have acted sooner, ideally emptying the freezers last winter while the waste was still frozen. Now, as the freezers fail, the walls are at risk of giving way.

“When they collapse, nearly two million kilos of slaughterhouse waste will spill out,” Brådd said.

Local farmer Fredrik Wilson, who stores grain nearby, has raised concerns over hygiene, while Kim Antfolk of the local youth association noted that residents are avoiding nearby sports facilities due to the smell.

Anna-Maria Mattfolk, environmental protection chief at the West Coast environmental unit, said the process was delayed by the need for a compulsory enforcement decision, as the bankrupt estate could not address the issue itself. A tender process launched in May received only one bid, which was rejected. Authorities have since directly contacted companies and now have multiple offers. A contractor could be selected by Friday, with cleanup potentially starting next week.

Mattfolk acknowledged the difficulty in estimating a timeline, as the rate of waste removal depends on the contractor’s capacity. She maintained there is no immediate environmental hazard, as the waste remains indoors, though signs of contamination from meltwater are already visible outside the damaged building.