First Reading of the Draft Act Amending the Waste Act (430 SE)
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
Date: 2024-09-11 21:05
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 42
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 38m
AI Summaries: 42/42 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The seventh item on the agenda concerned the first reading of Draft Act 430, initiated by the Government of the Republic, regarding amendments to the Waste Act. The core of the draft act is the specification and supplementation of the provisions concerning extended producer responsibility in the areas of food waste, waste management plans, producer costs, and the collection of problematic products, as well as the need to improve the legal clarity of the provisions of the Waste Act regarding infringement proceedings. The most significant amendments include the expansion of the definition of a tire producer, resulting in the transfer of the organization of end-of-life tire management to associations of tire producers; ultimately, consumers and businesses will henceforth be able to take tires to end-of-life tire collection points free of charge and in unlimited quantities. Furthermore, it is permitted to use a deposit instead of a single financial guarantee when storing waste, and the limitation periods for misdemeanor proceedings have been extended, which helps prevent delays in proceedings. The draft act also provides for more precise provisions regarding hazardous waste insurance, the reporting of awareness activities will be reorganized, and, to reduce bureaucracy, storage requirements and the acceptance and purchase of problematic products will be supplemented and clarified.
Decisions Made 1
The first reading has been concluded. Upon the proposal of the lead committee, the first reading of the draft bill was concluded, and the deadline for submitting amendments is 5:15 PM on September 25th of this year.
Most Active Speaker
The most active spokesperson was Lauri Laats (pid 5VNfkRwGZMI), a member of the Estonian Centre Party faction. His speeches and remarks reflect the position of a left- or center-wing party—his requests to speak and critical observations deeply engaged with the substance of the bill and focused on the broader implications for entrepreneurship and the circular economy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Today, the seventh item on the agenda is being discussed: the first reading of Draft Act 430 on amendments to the Waste Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic. Furthermore, the Riigikogu invited Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet to the podium to deliver a report.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
Minister of Infrastructure Vladimir Svet is presenting Bill 430, which amends the Waste Act. The bill expands producer responsibility (including for tires), makes the collection of old tires free and unlimited, and introduces technical improvements designed to simplify waste management and reduce bureaucracy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the Minister, confirms that there are questions, and announces that Lauri Laats will begin by asking the first questions.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats points out that while the draft legislation initially appears technical, it conceals numerous fundamental changes that could impact the entire sector and businesses, potentially even forcing them to shut down, and he questions why it was not coordinated with the Association of Circular Economy Companies.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet confirmed that the circular economy draft bills are developed in continuous cooperation with the sector, businesses, and regulatory authorities. He noted that the majority of the amendments stem from this collaboration and from complaints made by market participants—for instance, issues related to e-commerce. Furthermore, thanks to Estonian–Finnish cooperation, several online stores that violated the law have been shut down, which is clearly in the interests of honest businesses.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riina Solman is invited to speak.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman confirmed that the draft bill introduces fundamental changes that will affect the costs and operations of market participants, potentially even causing the termination of activities in some cases. She stressed the need to negotiate with these parties and assess the impact before implementing the changes, and asked who had been consulted and involved, noting that good legislative practice mandates dialogue with target groups.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet stated that the draft bill had been finalized before he joined the government, has passed all necessary procedural stages, and the sector was consulted, including receiving feedback from the association of circular economy companies. Therefore, the claim that stakeholders were not involved is invalid.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk asks the minister how the idea of bringing old tires from other countries to Estonia for crushing and processing is viewed, and whether Estonia should become a recycling center for other countries' tires in this field.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon colleague Rene Kokk.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
He stated that Estonian business decisions are ultimately made by entrepreneurs, but regarding tires, they are exported, with 44% of exports heading to India, 19% to other countries, and 12% to Finland. Furthermore, we have two producer responsibility organizations, whose partners, Ragn-Sells and Enefit, have opened a tire shredding line that enables the production of various derived products.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes that although the minister is green, they should have delved deeper and involved the association of circular economy companies, because the draft bill increases insurance risks and puts businesses in a situation where the lack of insurance makes their operations difficult or impossible, even though the law requires coverage.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman addresses Lauri Laats and asks him to speak.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
Vladimir Svet noted that the circular economy draft bill had been forwarded to ERMEL for coordination and that everyone had had the opportunity to contribute their input. He added that the insurance regulation is outdated, and the limit of 255 euros per ton and the ceiling on the insurance sum might no longer be sufficient given the latest prices, which could impede the full compensation of damages.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman called upon Rene Kokk to speak.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk is requesting the minister to provide statistics for the last five years concerning the movement and export of shredded tires. He also points out that Estonia may lack the capacity to utilize crumb rubber, and simultaneously asks about the addition of tire shred in Enefit Power's shale oil production, specifically whether there are issues with this process and if it might ultimately lead to the export of tires.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet said that statistics will be shared shortly; when comparing this year to last year, it is important to note that starting this year, Ragn-Sells has gained the capability to shred tires and hand them over to Enefit for processing, which may reduce exports in the future and bring more work to Estonian companies. Regarding the situation at Enefit Power, he finds it difficult to comment, but if necessary, additional information can be shared along with the aforementioned statistics.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller pointed out that the draft legislation covers tire manufacturers and their reprocessing, but there is no mention of tires for agricultural machinery or tractors. He then asked whether these specific details would be clarified later in a separate regulation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar addresses colleague Arvo Aller with a request.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet thanked for the question, noting that he couldn't provide an exact answer right away. He explained that agricultural plastic has been specifically mentioned, but agricultural tires are not distinguished separately; however, he assumes they are included in that category, since the machinery used in agriculture generally consists of motor vehicles. He added that in the event of any exceptions, he would clarify the matter and provide written notification.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls Aleksei Jevgrafov to the stage.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The main question of the address was how the government's initiative or bill affects the lives and welfare of ordinary citizens, even though previous responses have focused on businesses.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
The legislative amendment abolishes the restrictions on handing over old tires at most collection points, allowing ordinary citizens to drop off tires free of charge and without limits. This will increase recycling, improve the natural environment, and give businesses the confidence to operate in this sector.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Aleksei Yevgrafov to come.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asks whether he personally participated in drafting this bill, or if it is a legacy left to him by the former minister.
Taristuminister Vladimir Svet
AI Summary
He noted that this law has been a long time in the making, representing the legacy of several ministers and the fruit of the labor of colleagues at the Ministry of Climate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar offers his thanks and notes that there are no further questions. He then moves the proceedings forward to the presentation by the Environment Committee, requesting that Environment Committee member Hanah Lahe introduce the discussion that occurred.
Hanah Lahe
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
At the Environmental Committee session held on June 3, the draft legislation was introduced by Climate Minister Kristen Michal and Climate Ministry experts Piret Otsason and Görel Grauding. The committee posed various questions regarding feedback from interest groups, the handling of problem products, and the register of problem products, and received comprehensive answers, as a result of which the first reading will be concluded.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the presenter, invites questions, and asks Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In summary, I ask whether the committee discussed Eesti Energia once wanting to buy its own tire shredding machine, and whether they currently have their own capacity for shredding old tires, or if they continue to purchase the service from the market.
Hanah Lahe
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Thank you for the question; the Minister has already touched upon this topic previously, and I am currently reviewing the protocol, and in my opinion, this does not belong in our discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the audience and announces that Arvo Aller is next.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller asked whether the Estonian Agricultural and Food Authority has been excluded from the list of authorities handling misdemeanor proceedings, or whether its involvement in food-related matters has been taken up for discussion.
Hanah Lahe
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The discussion covered food waste and whether it can be used as animal feed; the draft legislation does not prohibit its use as animal feed, but prioritizes redistribution for human consumption; composting of food waste and biogas production were also mentioned, which is linked to the climate-resilient economy bill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Helle-Moonika Helme to take the floor.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He recalls asking about Eesti Energia's capacity to shred old tires, but the minister didn't address that topic and talked about Ragn-Sells instead.
Hanah Lahe
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She ponders whether it was a question or an admonition, and finally thanks them very much for it.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the rapporteur, announces that there are no further questions, opens the floor for debate to the representatives of the factions, and on behalf of the Isamaa faction, calls Riina Solman to the rostrum.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman noted that the first reading of the draft Waste Act is taking place against a backdrop of insufficient stakeholder engagement, and the amendments could increase costs and risks for businesses and lead to the cessation of operations for certain waste handlers. Therefore, before proceeding with further steps, there is a need for thorough consultation and assessment with stakeholders, discussion with insurers, and the provision of political input to the minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks the rapporteur and invites Lauri Laats, the representative of the Estonian Centre Party faction, to the Riigikogu rostrum next.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats condemns the draft bill, which imposes a heavy burden and unrealistic insurance requirements on businesses, emphasizes the lack of cooperation and the deficiency of democracy, and calls for halting the proceedings and involving the Association of Circular Economy Enterprises.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that there were no further requests to speak, and the debate would be closed. The leading committee's proposal is to conclude the first reading of Draft Act 430. Consequently, the first reading is concluded, and the deadline for submitting amendments is September 25th at 5:15 PM.