Composting

Biowaste and gardening waste generated on the property may be composted there. Composters must be placed, built and maintained so as to prevent them from causing any harm or risk to human health or the environment. Composting must not cause littering. Only biodegradable waste can be placed in a composter. In addition, reproductive parts of plants that are classified as non-native species must not be placed in a composter.

Biowaste may only be composted in an enclosed, well-ventilated and rodent-proof composter designed for the purpose. A rodent-proof composter refers to a compost bin with a lid, an enclosed bottom and no gaps wider than 7 mm. The compost bin must be insulated if biowaste is placed in it during the winter period (1 September–30 April). The composter must be maintained so that the biowaste in it degrades and the compost bin remains in good condition. The slower composting rate during colder months must be considered in the dimensioning of the composter.

The composter may also be in joint use by more than one property or household. Shared compost bins may be used by adjacent properties or properties that are located along the same public road within 300 metres of the composter.

Worm or bokashi composting are not permitted composting methods. Biowaste processed with an aerobic fermentation method, such as bokashi, must be processed further in an enclosed, ventilated composter before it is utilised.

The producer of waste must submit the following information to the Lahti region’s waste management authority within two months of the start of composting:

• the name and contact information for the property holder, address of the property and the property or building ID when possible;
• the building type and the number of households for properties other than detached houses;
• the name and contact information for the person responsible for composting;
• the volume of the composting bin and the number of months the composter is in use each year

A notification on the use of a compost bin must be resubmitted to the Lahti region’s waste management authority every five years. If composting is stopped, a notification must be submitted within two months.

The producer of the waste must submit a composting notification to the Lahti region waste management authority if such notification has not yet been submitted or if it was submitted before 1 January 2022.

When more than one household uses the same compost bin, the person responsible for composting must submit the above-mentioned information on behalf of everyone using the composter. If the person responsible for composting steps down, they must notify the waste management authority of the change before it becomes effective.

Waste from dry toilets, pet faeces and slurry from small water-treatment facilities may only be composted in an enclosed, well-ventilated composter designed for the purpose. The compost bin must be vermin-proof and seepage to the ground must be prevented. Waste containing faeces must be composted for at least a year. If waste from a dry toilet is not composted, it must be taken to a waste reception site specified by Salpakierto.

Garden waste and small amounts of biodegradable filter materials from greywater filters may be composted in a compost bin or frame.

The composter must not be emptied before the waste has properly decomposed. Decomposed compost can be post-treated outside the composter if the necessary precautions are taken.

Applications and notifications can be submitted in writing at lahti.fi/jatehuoltoviranomainen.