Surplus apples flood Pirkanmaa waste centres as trailer loads taken for biogas and compost

This year has produced a bumper apple crop in the Tampere area, and residents are bringing large amounts of surplus fruit to local waste centres, Aamulehti reports. Tarastenjärvi in Tampere and Koukkujärvi in Nokia accept a car trailer load of inedible apples free of charge for processing into biogas and green compost.

The free drop-off coincides with a proposal by the regional waste board to charge by the cubic metre for waste drop-offs, a change that could affect how households use waste centres. Tampere has also begun inspections of household food-waste composters in the area to ensure they meet bio-waste rules.

Tarja Kettinen, service manager for Reny, says the centres still have capacity and that pallets are replaced as they fill. The city urges residents to offer sound fruit to neighbours or apple-exchange groups instead of discarding it. Fallen fruit can attract rats.

Home garden waste is best composted on-site. Alternatively, apples and other garden waste can be taken to Tarastenjärvi or Koukkujärvi free by trailer, but leaves, branches and fruit should be kept separate since they are unloaded in different areas. Invasive-species material may be brought in sealed waste bags, up to 4 cubic metres. Kettinen recommends registering online beforehand so vehicles pass the gate quickly, though on-site service is also available.