News

Waste can be a business opportunity, not a burden. The LIFE integrated project team  invites Latvian manufacturers, municipal leaders, policy planners and waste management companies to explore this idea at the project conference "Creating Better, Using Longer - Waste as Resources in Latvia!", which will take place on March 1st of this year in Cēsis as part of the Vidzeme Innovation Week 2024.

By looking at different experiences from industry and experts, as well as taking into account the existing experience of industrial symbiosis between companies, the conference participants will discuss the possibilities of finding innovative ideas for the transition to a circular economy and sustainable waste management. By considering waste as a resource with economic potential, knowledge exchange will be ensured between entrepreneurs and policy planners, municipal representatives and waste managers.

The life cycle of many products starts with the extraction of raw materials and often ends in a landfill, where it not only loses its value but also affects the quality of the environment. In 2022, about 44% of the generated waste was landfilled, which indicates shortcomings at all stages of the product life cycle: insufficient waste sorting, production or use of non-recyclable packaging, as well as insufficient use of recycling technologies. Also, a large part of the waste is generated before the product is even ready, creating economic losses for businesses and depleting natural resources.

Currently, manufacturers have the opportunity to change not only how resources are extracted and consumed, but also, by working together, to promote economic growth, as well as environmental and human well-being.

Participation in the conference is free of charge. To participate in the conference, please register by filling out the application form or sending an application to the e-mail address: info@baltijaskrasti.lv.

Additional information about the conference can be found in the Vidzeme Innovation Week event calendar.