Biowaste

Following the order of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MEPRD), measurements of generated food waste have been initiated, conducted by Riga Stradiņš University in collaboration with LTD “Jaunrades laboratorija” as part of the research project "Development of Methodology for Determining the Amount of Food Waste, Data Collection, Compilation and Analysis, Preparation and Presentation of Reports."

The aim of the study is to determine the amount of food waste generated at each stage of the food chain. Throughout 2024, information will be collected and compiled regarding the amount of food waste generated in primary production (agriculture), processing and manufacturing, retail, and other forms of distribution (e.g., charity), public catering, and households. Data collection will be carried out using various research methods – entrepreneurs are invited to fill out questionnaires, while households are encouraged to participate in filling out diaries during specified periods, detailing the weight, type, and causes of food waste generated in the household.

Natural resources, human resources, energy, and often limited resources are used in food production. Waste is generated during food production and consumption, which must be appropriately managed. Measuring the amount of food waste generated is the basis for implementing a Food Waste Prevention Program. The results of the measurements will provide an opportunity to assess the situation in detail regarding food waste and to develop and implement measures to reduce and prevent food waste.

Every citizen can participate in preventing and reducing food waste by planning meals, preparing shopping lists before shopping, cooking only as much food as can be eaten, storing food properly, using food leftovers to prepare other meals, or freezing leftover food for future meals. Citizens can also get involved in various local community initiatives aimed at preventing food waste and support businesses and charity organizations that work on reducing food waste by setting an example.

We remind you that food waste must be sorted in a designated container or composted in your household. If a container for organic waste is not currently available, the service should be requested from your waste management provider.

Information about the amount of food waste generated is collected by all EU member states every four years and submitted to the European Commission. The collected data allows monitoring the dynamics of food waste amounts in each member state and in the European Union as a whole. This enables member states to develop measures to reduce food waste and assess the effectiveness of these measures. According to EUROSTAT data, in 2020, the European Union generated 58 million tons of food waste, or 131 kg per EU citizen. In Latvia, in 2020, 145 kg of food waste was generated per capita.

The study “Development of Methodology for Determining the Amount of Food Waste, Data Collection, Compilation and Analysis, Preparation and Presentation of Reports” is being implemented as part of the LIFE Integrated Project “Waste as a Resource in Latvia – Promoting Regional Sustainability and Circularity through the Introduction of the Waste as a Resource Concept” (Nr. LIFE20 IPE/LV/000014, LIFE Waste to Resources IP). Additional information is available on the website:https://wastetoresources.varam.gov.lv.