Bulky waste collection will be conducted more quietly and without environmental pollution for some Vilnius residents. “Žalvaris”, a waste management company providing these services in parts of Vilnius, has invested almost €100,000 in e-vehicles. Using them, the company will collect old furniture, household appliances and other bulky waste from residents.

“Bulky waste is usually collected from residents in the yards of apartment blocks, in the streets of the Old Town, and in crowded places where traffic is often slow. In such conditions, e-vehicles have a clear advantage: They do not pollute the environment or create noise, their operating costs are lower, and they make waste collection friendlier for the population, the environment and the city,” says Paulius Repšys, the Director of Development at “Žalvaris”.

Three areas of Vilnius to be served by e-vehicles

The company has purchased three new-generation Renault Master E-Tech e-vans to collect bulky waste from residents. The vans can cover up to 460 km on a single charge, enabling the company to operate two shifts per day and recharge the vehicles overnight. This model supports fast charging—up to 130 kW—so the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in about 1 hour and 10 minutes. 

The acquired e-vans are also designed for heavy urban use: Their interiors are equipped explicitly for waste transport, with integrated scales and wide-opening side ports for faster waste loading.

According to “Žalvaris”, the decision to invest in e-vehicles is part of the company’s coherent sustainability strategy. “Žalvaris”, a waste management company belonging to the “GreenGroup”, has been purposefully reducing the environmental impact of its operations for several years and plans to continue investing in cleaner transport, including the purchase of biomethane-powered trucks.

“Žalvaris”, the winner of the tender for the collection of bulky waste published by Vilnius City Municipality, has signed a three-year contract with the municipality. The company will collect waste by e-vehicles in three service areas of the capital: Antakalnis-Naujoji Vilnia, Pašilaičiai-Lazdynai, and the city centre, which includes the Old Town, the New Town, Žvėrynas and parts of other elderships.

Bulky waste is one of the city’s most pressing problems.

Bulky waste remains one of the most frequent causes of clutter in the yards of apartment buildings in Vilnius. Old furniture, household appliances, and other bulky items are often discarded by residents in unscheduled areas, even though the city offers a free individual bulky waste collection service.

Daiva Garbaliauskaitė, the Head of the Vilnius Waste System Administration (VASA), notes that proper collection of bulky waste helps keep the city tidy, reduces the risk of illegal landfills, and ensures responsible waste management.

“Bulky waste is not only an aesthetic problem, but also an environmental one. We see that some residents still leave their waste by the containers, despite the convenient and free waste collection service in Vilnius. This service allows residents to dispose of unwanted items conveniently and responsibly, saving time and money. Therefore, it is essential to remind Vilnius residents about this opportunity consistently”, says Ms Garbaliauskaitė.

The individual bulky waste collection service in Vilnius allows residents to collect up to 250 kg of household bulky waste per property, free of charge, once a year. The order is placed via the VASA self-service system, and the waste is then collected and transported by waste management companies following predetermined routes. Once the free waste collection limit per resident is reached, a paid service is available.

Old furniture, household appliances, textiles, mattresses, bicycles, strollers and other bulky household waste are collected from residents in accordance with established procedures. Tyres, asbestos-containing waste, and green waste are not accepted on this service.

Waste management companies, upon receiving a VASA order, arrive at the site, weigh the waste, record its condition, and deliver it to the Vilnius County Waste Management Centre sites, where it is further managed in accordance with applicable requirements.