This spring, when operations at our managed plant were temporarily suspended, waste flows were redistributed. This gave us a real-life test of our waste system’s crisis resilience and revealed what needs to be strengthened.
“It’s clear that right now we have a unique opportunity to create new, modern MBT facilities that would ensure more efficient sorting – it would be a shame not to use this opportunity. State support is crucial, as it will create value for the entire waste management system,” said Algirdas Blazgys, our company’s CEO, at the 22nd Druskininkai Forum “Waste Management 2025”.
It is also important to prepare for future crises – it’s only a matter of time before they happen again. To be ready, we need:
A national emergency MBT capacity reserve equipped with modular lines, screens, presses, and other mobile units.
Pre-agreed interregional arrangements for alternative (“detour”) routes and gate fees in case of stress situations.
Data from this spring and summer show that if we are not prepared, we will again face situations where:
Only partially sorted waste is sent for incineration – out of 10,310 tons received, 9,310 tons were burned.
Industrial SRF demand cannot be met – this summer, production was reduced tenfold.
A portion of waste remains untreated – around 18,500 tons were landfilled, left at waste operators’ sites, or otherwise unmanaged.
Thank you for the discussions – it was a pleasure to meet and talk about current market issues. Only through dialogue can we find the solutions our waste management system urgently needs.
We have repaired and restarted one of the three stationary sorting lines inside the factory. This enables us to process mixed household waste more quickly. We also resumed the production of the SRF product, which is once again being delivered to the cement factory in Akmene.
Additionally, we have doubled the amount of waste supplied to the Vilnius Combined Heat and Power Plant, from an average of 300 to 700 tons per day.
Line inside the factory
“We have taken a major step forward – we repaired and relaunched our shredder and stationary sorting line. With this line, we already sort about one-third of the mixed waste, separating plastics, metal, glass, electronics, tires, and other waste. This has accelerated our work and normalized waste flows within the factory,” says Algirdas Blazgys, Director of Energesman.
Until now, waste had been sorted with two mobile sorting lines, and this work was carried out in the factory yard. Space there was limited, since the yard also had to be used for unloading incoming waste and storing sorted fractions.
“The big advantage of the stationary line is that it is located inside the factory – this expands the area where we can work,” Blazgys adds.
The repaired stationary sorting line and shredder had suffered relatively little damage. Company specialists replaced motors, rotary drum parts, conveyor belts, and gearboxes. A shelter for employees was built, lighting was installed, testing work was completed, and the line was launched for continuous operation.
From the waste sorted and shredded on this line, we mainly produce SRF, which is transported to the Akmene cement plant. After the technological process, the waste becomes part of cement and is further used in construction.
Last year, we produced more than 18,000 tons of this product – the largest volume among waste sorting companies in Lithuania.
Increased supply for incineration
Together with UAB VAATC and regional municipalities, an agreement was reached with the Vilnius Combined Heat and Power Plant to increase the amount of waste supplied for incineration from an average of 300 to 700 tons per day.
Energesman has a contract with the Vilnius Combined Heat and Power Plant to deliver 125,000 tons of sorted waste per year for incineration. However, the plant wants to receive most of this flow during the winter heating season, while in summer, the amount accepted is significantly reduced.
“The amount of waste generated by residents does not decrease in summer – people produce household waste all year round. Our area for storing waste until the power plant accepts it is currently limited, so it is important for us that the CHP plant does not reduce the volume of waste it receives from us,” says Blazgys.
Preparing for reconstruction
The stationary waste sorting line could only be repaired after all inspections had been completed and damaged building structures in that part of the factory had been dismantled.
An assessment of the damage to the factory has already been carried out. Company specialists, together with experts in construction, equipment, and other fields, calculated that the damage to sorting equipment amounts to about EUR 2 million, and about EUR 1 million to building structures.
Demolition work is still ongoing in unused parts of the factory. Once it is completed, reconstruction will begin. First, the factory building will be renovated – part of the roof, wall cladding, and supporting structures will be replaced. After that, new sorting equipment will be installed.
“We aim to restore modern and up-to-date equipment and further improve sorting efficiency so that we can create as much value as possible from waste. At the moment, we are visiting equipment manufacturers and other waste processors – we are learning from their experience with robotic solutions and intend to apply this knowledge in our factory,” Blazgys explains.
Recovering more than other regions
Last year, 219,000 tons of mixed and food waste were sorted at the Vilnius MBT plant operated by Energesman.
From this amount, the following materials were recovered and sent for recycling:
2,433 tons of plastic
3,142 tons of glass
2,168 tons of metals
1,568 tons of paper
“We are the leaders among other regions in terms of the amount of secondary raw materials recovered – and we believe that after rebuilding a more advanced plant, we will be able to improve these figures even further,” says Blazgys.
We had already developed and implemented a technological process to extract almost all the glass from waste, which was then used to produce bricks and blocks for house construction.
Every year, our efficient work helps households in the Vilnius region save money. By comparing the costs of our plant with other regional mixed waste sorting centres (MBA), we see a clear result: we save the region EUR 23.6 million annually – that’s about EUR 73.4 for every household.
How do we achieve these savings?
1
Gate fee
For a ton of mixed municipal waste we accept, we are paid the lowest price in all of Lithuania: we receive EUR 51.56 (plus VAT), compared to EUR 106 in Kaunas and EUR 104 in Klaipeda.
Saving EUR 10.6 million
2
Pollution fee for waste disposal in a landfill
We make maximum use of waste, so we send little of it to the landfill. Last year, we sent only 19.4% of waste (unsuitable and technical compost) to the landfill, while this indicator exceeds 50% in Lithuania as a whole.
Saving EUR 5.5 million
3
Incineration cost
For a ton of waste delivered for incineration, we have negotiated a lower rate with Vilnius Cogeneration Plant than that set by the State Energy Regulatory Council (VERT). We pay EUR 32.5 instead of EUR 48.8 per ton of waste.
Saving EUR 2.0 million
4
Food and kitchen waste management
We process residents’ food and kitchen waste free of charge using an innovative larvae technology installed at our own expense. In other regions, the process of this waste costs EUR 80 per ton.
Saving EUR 1.0 million
5
Food and kitchen waste transport
Since food and kitchen waste is delivered in orange bags together with mixed waste – no separate collection or transport is required.
Saving EUR 4.5 million
Total annual savings:
EUR 23.6 million
When we divide the saved amount by the 322,118 households in the Vilnius region, it equals EUR 73.4 saved per each household every year.
Without our efficient solutions, residents’ waste management bills would be that much higher.
We work to turn waste into value – and ensure every resident in the region feels the benefit!
Do you know where e-cigarettes should be disposed of? Definitely not in the mixed waste bin!
“A lot of vapes are being thrown away. The damage can be serious, because every e-cigarette has a lithium battery inside – a potential fire hazard,” said Algirdas Blazgys, our company’s CEO, in an interview with LNK News.
We often find batteries, e-cigarettes, and various electronic devices mixed in with waste – and recently, their numbers have increased even more.
Most likely, people are rushing to get rid of them after several fires broke out at waste management facilities. These incidents may have been caused by improperly discarded e-cigarettes or batteries, or by devices misused for sabotage.
So, where should you take e-cigarettes, batteries, and electronics?
Return them to the store where you purchased them.
Drop them in special electronics collection containers.
Bring them to bulky waste collection points.
Check where your nearest collection point is – many are located near large shopping centers or municipal buildings. You can learn more by reading the full article or watching the news report.
Thank you for helping us manage waste responsibly!
We will challenge in court the decision of the Chief Official Ethics Commission, which we believe is incorrect. We aim to prove that we did not violate the Lobbying Law when we brought the Ministry of Environment’s attention to what we think is a discriminatory and flawed legal regulation related to EU funding.
We contacted the ministry after noticing a clause in the funding guidelines that conflicts with EU project selection and funding criteria, basic legal principles, and higher-level laws.
“It’s strange that we are being punished for addressing the ministry that oversees our sector about an inconsistency in the funding rules. The rules discriminated against mixed waste operators and gave unfair advantages to companies handling plastic from sorting containers. We believe this goes against the law, equality principles, and fair competition,” says Algirdas Blazgys, CEO of Energesman.
Energesman raised concerns about the funding rules under the program “Expansion of Plastic Waste Recycling Capacity”, which allowed EU funding only for companies processing plastic waste collected from yellow recycling containers.
However, currently, residents separate only about half of their plastic packaging into these containers. The other half ends up in mixed municipal waste, which is later sorted at mixed waste sorting plants operating across Lithuania.
According to the CEO, if EU funding is aimed at boosting plastic recycling, then all companies involved in recycling, including those handling mixed waste, should be eligible for support.
Under the existing guidelines, Energesman and other operators of Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plants would not be allowed to apply for funding.
“After seeing the discriminatory rule, we contacted the Ministry of Environment and the Central Project Management Agency, urging them to fix this legal flaw that excludes mixed waste operators,” says Blazgys.
The ministry responded that the funding was intended to support the recycling of hard-to-recycle plastic.
Blazgys noted that plastic sorted from mixed waste is actually more difficult to recycle than that collected from yellow containers, which makes it even more important to include mixed waste operators in the funding program.
“We know that other waste companies also contacted the ministry about the same issue, and they were not penalized for lobbying, even though they are not registered as lobbyists,” he adds.
The Lobbying Law states that expressing an opinion about legislation is not considered lobbying, unless a company drafts a specific law and proposes it for consideration.
“We did not prepare or propose any legal draft. We simply expressed our opinion about a discriminatory rule and requested that the responsible institutions ensure fair treatment. We believe we did nothing wrong and will challenge the commission’s decision in court,” says Blazgys.
Energesman believes the funding rules conflict with the Competition Law, Waste Management Law, the 2021–2027 National Waste Plan, and the Constitutional principle of equality, which all have higher legal authority than a minister’s order.
“We still haven’t received the full Commission’s decision and explanation, even though we’ve already been labelled as violators publicly. This doesn’t help build a cooperative relationship between businesses and regulators,” Blazgys notes.
Once Energesman receives the full documents, it will finalize its court appeal. The company has 30 days from receiving the decision to submit the appeal.
The Ministry of Environment has already suspended the current funding guidelines for plastic recycling and is now revising them.
Last year, Energesman recovered and supplied 2 481 tons of plastic for recycling from mixed waste.
The flies have moved into what’s being playfully called a “wellness retreat” – that’s how Energesman employees describe the new, temporary home of their houseflies. Following the fire at the Vilnius waste sorting facility, fly larvae bred on household kitchen waste have been relocated to the Chemical Ecology and Behaviour Laboratory (CHEEL) at the Nature Research Centre (NRC), part of the State Research Institute, where they will remain under the care of scientists until the facility’s infrastructure is restored. Fortunately, the colony of Musca domestica – specially imported from the Netherlands for organic waste processing – has been preserved.
This pioneering solution for managing kitchen waste in the Vilnius region recently attracted international attention: the BBC published a feature on this Lithuanian innovation, highlighting the use of fly larvae to process kitchen waste. You can read the full article here.
Favourable conditions for survival and research
“Shortly after the incident, we moved the flies and their larvae to the NRC CHEEL lab, where they have adapted well. Scientists are now ensuring they have suitable conditions to survive and thrive until we’re able to bring them back to the facility. This period also provides valuable opportunities for observation and research,” says Algirdas Blazgys, CEO of Energesman.
In the lab, scientists are carefully managing reproduction to avoid overpopulation. Cooler temperatures are used to slow the development of the pupae, or puparia, ensuring population stability rather than rapid growth.
“Most puparia – also called cocoons or ‘beans’ – are stored at lower-than-normal temperatures to slow down their development and preserve the existing population. The same applies to adult flies and larvae – we maintain a cooler environment to support a stable colony,” explains Gabriele Bumbulyte-Zukeviciene, PhD candidate at the NRC and a researcher working with the colony.
Currently, puparia are kept at 6°C, while adult flies and larvae are maintained at 18°C. Once the larvae reach the puparia stage, they are moved to cooler conditions to further slow development.
Tailored habitats for every species
At CHEEL, each species is kept in a separate space to ensure that their unique environmental needs are met. According to Bumbulyte-Zukeviciene, the houseflies and larvae from the waste sorting facility have a dedicated environment where temperature, humidity, and food supply are carefully controlled.
Flies are housed in special enclosures equipped with food and water sources, egg-laying substrates, and temperature controls that support their natural life cycle. Eggs are routinely collected and moved through the growth stages. Once larvae reach the puparia stage, they are either returned to the breeding cycle or stored to maintain population continuity.
“Until now, we’ve been feeding the flies and larvae with standardised, balanced feed to ease the transition to the lab environment, but we’re now preparing to introduce food waste and test additives that improve nutritional value,” adds Bumbulyte-Zukeviciene.
Market-ready innovation
Earlier this year, Energesman publicly introduced one of Europe’s most innovative solutions for processing household kitchen waste: breeding fly larvae on food scraps collected in orange bags from Vilnius county residents.
After being shredded and mixed with water, the contents of the orange bags were processed into an organic feedstock for the larvae. Once grown and dried, the larvae were intended for use in the production of biofuels and protein-based industrial materials – including paints, furniture, adhesives, and lighting – while the leftover biomass served as fertiliser or fishing bait.
Energesman invested EUR 1 million into bespoke larval rearing equipment designed in the Netherlands specifically for Vilnius needs. An additional EUR 1.1 million was invested by the regional waste management centre, VAATC, into automated systems for unpacking the orange bags and cleaning the food waste, preparing it for larval processing.
Return to facility in sight
“The equipment for processing food waste was not damaged – only covered in soot. We’re currently repairing one of the fixed sorting lines and working towards fully restoring factory operations, including larval rearing,” says Blazgys.
The full facility is expected to be operational again later this year. Scientists note that the fly colony is ready to return at any time – their stay at the lab is only temporary. It also offers researchers an opportunity to study the species and ensure its continuity.
“The most important thing is that the flies survived and have retained their potential,” says Bumbulyte-Zukeviciene.
At the Vilnius Mechanical-Biological Treatment (MBT) facility operated by Energesman, mixed and organic waste from across the region is again being processed – currently with mobile equipment, while preparations are made to rebuild the plant.
Vilnius region is among the global frontrunners in using fly larvae to process kitchen waste – and this is precisely why our innovation is now featured by the BBC. Journalist MaryLou Costa highlights our experience in managing household food waste in the Lithuanian capital in one of the world’s most recognised news outlets.
As the article notes, similar initiatives do exist globally, but they are typically small-scale – for instance, private projects handling food scraps from a single hotel or apartment building.
“Our pilot deliveries of larvae have already begun – with partners in the paint, glue and furniture sectors,” shared our CEO, Algirdas Blazgys, in the interview.
Key takeaways from the article:
• We’ve already produced prototype lamp shades and paint batches using our larvae. The paint technology is still being refined to achieve the right colour, but the lamp shades have turned out remarkably well.
• We continue to collaborate with universities, supplying fly larvae for research and for use in bacterial cultivation.
• Our technology will enable the Vilnius region to save up to EUR 2 million annually – we do not charge municipalities for collecting and processing food waste from residents.
Our goal for next year is ambitious: to process 12,000 tonnes of kitchen waste. To help us get there, we encourage residents to separate food waste and use the orange bags provided – we’ll ensure the waste reaches the larvae!
The operator of the Vilnius Regional Waste Sorting Plant, UAB Energesman, has fully resumed its operations. Two mobile sorting lines are now functioning in a temporary area within the company’s premises. With these facilities, the company is once again processing 100% of the region’s regular household waste – all municipal waste is being redirected to this plant, with no further support from external operators required.
The plant and its equipment were insured to the maximum extent accepted by insurers. The insurance company BTA Baltic Insurance Company is currently assessing the damages.
Waste collection restored
“Our team worked tirelessly, even through the nights, to set up the mobile lines, calibrate shredders, and prepare for the handling of mixed waste. Both mobile lines are now fully operational – waste is being sorted, shredded, and biodegradable materials are being separated. We have also resumed operation of the drying tunnels in the unaffected part of the plant, where the sorted waste is dried,” said Algirdas Blazgys, CEO of Energesman.
Gradually, waste transportation was restored from all eight municipalities in the Vilnius region. It is now being delivered according to the usual schedule. On average, the facility processes 800 tonnes of waste per day – the same volume as before the disruption.
Initially, the waste from Vilnius City, Vilnius District and Elektrenai Municipality was prioritised, followed by waste from other regional municipalities.
The mobile equipment will continue to be used until the fixed infrastructure of the plant is fully restored.
Insured to the extent allowed
According to Blazgys, the facility was insured. However, due to previous incidents in waste management plants and the heightened associated risks, insurance providers declined to offer full fire risk coverage.
The best available insurance solution obtained by Energesman was approved by the plant’s owner, UAB VAATC, as acceptable.
The plant is currently insured by AAS BTA Baltic Insurance Company. The mobile equipment (e.g., loaders, lorries), certain fixed installations, and other entrusted assets have been insured for their replacement value. Additionally, environmental liability, civil liability, and other risk categories are insured – to the extent accepted by the insurers.
The insurer is currently evaluating the claims and determining the compensation to be paid to the company.
Annually, Energesman paid over EUR 100,000 in insurance premiums. Some policies expired in May, and upon renewal, premiums have nearly doubled.
Repairs underway on fixed equipment
Repair works on the stationary equipment are already in progress. One of the plant’s lines sustained only minor damage; its motor, conveyor system, and gearboxes are being replaced, after which it will be restarted.
Most of the plant’s handling equipment – loaders, excavators, and trucks – was unaffected and is fully operational. Only one loader was lost. The condition of other sorting lines and machinery is still under assessment.
The technologically advanced glass sorting equipment – which could detect fragments as small as 10mm, as well as separate plastics, paper, and other materials – is currently non-operational. As a result, the recovery of secondary raw materials is temporarily reduced.
The operator had already been implementing innovations at the plant. Earlier this year, in cooperation with Lithuanian software company Softeta, an AI-based solution was developed and tested to automatically identify and count orange bags, glass containers, Tetra Paks, and other waste types.
“The system is cloud-based, so it remained entirely unaffected. Once the sorting lines are restored and cameras reinstalled, it will resume operation. A demo of the tool is already available on our website,” added Blazgys.
Support from partners
According to Blazgys, the company’s partners and equipment suppliers have offered support and prioritised the replacement or restoration of equipment.
“We are committed to rebuilding a more advanced and modern facility that ensures even more efficient waste sorting and recycling. We are actively discussing this with VAATC and the municipalities of Vilnius and the surrounding region,” he said.
“We currently operate the most cost-effective and efficient MBA sorting facility in the country. With further modernisation, we aim to achieve even better results and continue to offer the most favourable waste sorting conditions for Vilnius region residents. Our processes are optimised, and we are constantly exploring ways to transform waste into new products and added value,” said Blazgys.
Arson investigation inderway
The fire at the waste sorting plant was extinguished on 28 April. The Vilnius District Prosecutor’s Office has established an inter-agency task force to investigate the cause of the incident, including the possibility of arson.
Suspicion was raised by a hole discovered in a reinforced concrete wall within the sorting tunnel. One of the main theories is that the damage was caused deliberately. The company has also launched an internal investigation to examine all related circumstances.
The arson theory is further reinforced by a series of fires at other waste facilities across Lithuania in May.
The MBA facility operated by Energesman in Vilnius processes approximately 220,000 tonnes of mixed and food waste annually. The company has extensive experience in managing mixed waste and has built a strong innovation team.
This facility receives municipal waste from across the Vilnius County region, comprising eight municipalities: Vilnius City, Vilnius District, Trakai, Elektrenai, Ukmerge, Svencionys, Salcininkai, and Sirvintos.
We have launched an internal investigation into a suspected case of sabotage at a waste treatment facility under our management. A hole was discovered in a wall made of reinforced concrete, located in a tunnel where improperly disposed waste is stored. One of the leading hypotheses is that the damage was caused by a deliberate explosion.
“During one of the inspections, we found a large section of concrete torn from the wall. The structure is made of specially reinforced concrete, so we ruled out the possibility of a fire caused by lithium batteries – the facility was not operating at the time, and the waste had not been exposed to any such factors. No incendiary materials were found during the investigation either. We are pleased that our concerns were taken seriously and that a dedicated team of prosecutors and investigators has been appointed,” said Algirdas Blazgys, CEO of our company.
According to Blazgys, the nature of the damage and the available evidence suggest that the fire was the result of a deliberate act. Unfortunately, it is not particularly difficult to conceal an explosive device within waste material.
At the facility, all batteries are manually removed from the sorting lines before the automated sorting process begins.
We adhere strictly to fire safety and environmental regulations and maintain active cooperation with fire and emergency services. The most recent inspection of the facility was carried out on 10 March this year, with no violations recorded.
In response to a series of recent fires at waste management and recycling facilities, an inter-institutional investigation team has been established to determine their causes.
“We have cordoned off the suspected explosion site to prevent any further damage, as investigators will be arriving shortly to collect samples necessary for their ongoing enquiry,” added Blazgys.
We are expecting prompt and transparent answers – both for ourselves and for the public.
As a reminder, the fire at the waste sorting facility we operate broke out on the morning of 27 April in a tunnel containing improperly discarded waste. The fire primarily affected two sections of the plant, as well as part of the area where mixed municipal waste is delivered and unloaded prior to sorting. Two other sections, located in the eastern part of the facility, remain unaffected – and our priority is to resume waste management operations in these areas as soon as possible.
We are preparing to resume operations as early as this week in the section of the facility that was not affected by the fire, pending approval from the relevant authorities. Preliminary assessments indicate that approximately half of the buildings at our serviced facility remain undamaged. The unaffected area primarily handled biodegradable and household food waste, which accounts for roughly 40% of the waste processed at the site.
The remaining waste – around 60% – is planned to be managed at a temporary site within the facility’s grounds. A proposal to this effect has been submitted today to the Vilnius Regional Waste Management Centre, Vilnius City Municipality, other local municipalities, and relevant institutions. If approved, mobile equipment would be deployed for waste treatment, with operations at the temporary site expected to begin as early as May.
“We extend our sincere thanks to the firefighters, environmental officers, police, municipal and ministerial representatives, and all waste management professionals involved – their swift and coordinated response ensured the fire was brought under control quickly and has paved the way for a prompt resumption of operations. We can be justly proud of the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by Lithuania’s public services during this challenging time,” said Algirdas Blazgys, CEO of Energesman.
At present, specialists from the Fire and Rescue Department and the Environmental Protection Department are on-site conducting a detailed inspection to determine the cause of the fire and to evaluate the extent of the damage.
Initial findings suggest that two buildings and a section of the facility where mixed household waste is unloaded and sorted sustained the most damage. However, two buildings located in the eastern part of the site were not affected and will be the first to see activity restored.
“Our entire team is ready to resume work as soon as power supply is reinstated – we hope it will happen within the next few days. Over the next several weeks, we aim to scale up operations at the temporary site to near-full capacity, ensuring that residents of the Vilnius region experience no disruption in waste services,” added Blazgys.
Once the consequences of the fire have been fully addressed and the situation assessed by experts, we plan to begin reconstruction of the facility without delay.
The fire broke out on Sunday morning at the waste sorting facility. While investigations are ongoing, initial reports suggest the fire may have been caused either by arson or by hazardous waste – such as scooter batteries or household chemicals – being improperly disposed of in general waste. Such materials should never be placed in mixed waste containers and must instead be taken to designated e-waste or hazardous waste collection points.
