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Take unwanted household items to recycling – not to the waste collection area
Furniture, car tires and other large items do not belong in the property’s waste collection area, stairwells or shared storage rooms. Recycling them correctly saves costs, keeps shared spaces clean and benefits all residents.
What belongs in the waste collection area – and what does not?
Waste collection areas have containers for biowaste, paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic and mixed waste. In most properties there is also a container for electronic waste. If no suitable container is available, the resident is responsible for taking the waste to a recycling point.
Large items such as furniture and car tires never belong in the waste collection area, stairwells or shared storage rooms. They have their own collection points.
How to recycle large items
Furniture and household items in good condition can be taken to the Kierrätyskeskus, where they can find a new home. Sortti Stations accept broken furniture and other large items. Both also offer paid pick-up services.
Car tires can be returned free of charge to Suomen Rengaskierrätys collection points or to any tire shop, as long as the number of returned tires matches the number of new ones purchased. Sortti Stations do not accept tires.
The Kierrätyskeskus collection truck will be touring in Espoo from September 25 to October 23. Clean and usable household and decoration items can be brought to the truck. The exact stops and schedule can be found on the Kierrätyskeskus website.
Outdoor equipment storage is only for items in use
Abandoned items are sometimes also found in basement corridors and outdoor equipment storage rooms. Unused items must be taken to your own storage space or to recycling. Outdoor equipment storage is only for equipment that is in regular use.
Abandoned items are costly
When items are left in waste collection areas or other shared spaces, Espoon Asunnot pays about 400,000 euros every year for their removal. This cost is eventually seen in residents’ rents. If the resident who left the items can be identified, the costs will be charged to them – the minimum fee is 150 euros.
In addition to costs, wrongly placed furniture and items disturb normal waste management. They can block the emptying of waste containers and in the worst case attract rats and other pests.
By making sure your own items are recycled correctly, you save common costs and keep shared spaces clean.