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On May 15–16, 2025, a major international networking event organized by the LIFE Waste to Resources IP project was held at the State Environmental Service in Riga, Latvia. The event brought together policymakers from the ministries of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, as well as implementers of LIFE Integrated Projects from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and Cyprus. The aim of the event was to share the latest developments in waste management and circular economy, and to foster cooperation between Baltic ministries and LIFE integrated projects.

The event was opened by Rudīte Vesere, Deputy State Secretary for Environmental Policy at the Ministry of Climate and Energy of Latvia. In her address, she noted: "The LIFE Waste to Resources IP project, implemented by the Ministry in collaboration with 22 partners, is a vivid example of how international cooperation can drive significant change. By sharing knowledge and learning from both successes and failures, we can accelerate progress and avoid duplication of efforts."

Policymakers from the Baltic ministries provided a comprehensive overview of current developments in waste management and the circular economy. Sandija Sniķere, from the Latvian Ministry of Climate and Energy, presented the extended producer responsibility system for textiles that was established in Latvia in 2024, highlighting its potential as a model for other European countries planning similar initiatives. Peep Siim, from the Estonian Ministry of Climate, outlined key national initiatives to reduce waste and transition to a circular economy, including upcoming waste management reforms and planned investments in circular solutions. Virginija Vingrienė, from the Lithuanian Ministry of the Environment, spoke about Lithuania’s goals and challenges – particularly public awareness of waste sorting and the uneven development of recycling infrastructure. One major challenge faced by all European countries remains the limited price competitiveness of recycled materials compared to primary raw materials.

The program continued with presentations of four LIFE Integrated Projects from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Cyprus. Alise Vecozola, head of the Latvian LIFE Waste to Resources IP project, presented its main goals: establishing effective systems for separate waste collection and reuse, implementing pilot projects to turn waste into new products, and educating the public.

Rūta Kukulskytė, from Lithuania’s LIFE IP EnerLIT, presented efforts to boost energy efficiency aligned with the country’s National Energy and Climate Plan, with a focus on green public procurement.

Małgorzata Wadecka, from the LIFE Pom GOZilla.PL project in Poland’s Pomeranian region, introduced actions supporting the local waste management plan by emphasizing the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) through several pilot projects and public awareness campaigns.

Joanna Constantinidou, from Cyprus's LIFE-IP CYzero WASTE, shared valuable experience in waste reduction, including the creation of 50 Green Kiosks for sorted waste collection in remote and mountainous regions where centralized waste management is unfeasible.

Participants visited LIFE Waste to Resources IP project implementation sites in Riga, showcasing investments in circular economy initiatives.

The tour included a visit to the “Lab!” electronics repair workshop, where old electronic devices are repaired and given a second life, as well as the "Lab!" store, which sells refurbished items. They also visited Latvia’s most modern sorted waste collection site, located at Vietalvas iela 5, Riga. The site allows for the convenient disposal of around 30 different types of waste, including paper, glass, plastics, metals, batteries, solar panels, and e-waste. Visitors are guided by a digital information system and display monitors for accurate waste sorting. The site also features an automated self-service waste weighing system and a free reuse corner where people can leave items in good condition – from household goods and building materials to electronics and books – for others to take.

On the second day, participants took a deeper dive into actions implemented within the LIFE projects.

Evija Ozola-Ozoliņa, from Zero Waste Latvia, presented the circular reuse and repair ecosystem developed under the Latvian project. The Lietovelreiz.lv platform, operating for its second year, promotes material exchange and waste reduction. New repair and reuse centers are planned in Cēsis and Valmiera, to extend product life and minimize waste. She emphasized the importance of public education, through training and awareness campaigns encouraging active citizen engagement with circular economy principles.

Rūta Kukulskytė then detailed Lithuania’s green public procurement practices, highlighting how sustainable purchasing by the public sector – which makes up about 14% of the EU’s GDP – can significantly reduce environmental impact. Lithuania is a leader in this area, with all public procurement conducted in line with green criteria.

Malgorzata Zając, from the Pomeranian Regional Development Agency (Poland), showcased a regional approach to circular economy development. A broad public education campaign combining traditional and digital communication will support waste reduction and reuse. A business support center is being developed to offer consulting and training on circular practices.

Joanna Constantinidou presented Cyprus’s introduction of the “Pay As You Throw” (PAYT) system, which incentivizes households to minimize waste by charging based on the volume of waste they produce. Prepaid waste bags and containers of various sizes are used. The project includes wide-reaching public education campaigns on this system.

To conclude the event, participants toured Getliņi EKO, the largest municipal landfill in the Baltics, where half of Latvia’s unsorted municipal waste is processed. They were shown how waste is transformed into resources, easing landfill load. Getliņi EKO operates biogas facilities that generate electricity and heat, including for greenhouses where tomatoes and cucumbers are grown – a model embodying the circular economy in action by integrating waste management, renewable energy production, and sustainable agriculture.

This two-day international experience exchange was especially valuable in enabling participants from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Cyprus to co-develop and implement innovations in circular economy. Each country brings unique perspectives, but all projects are united in working toward sustainable waste reduction, efficient material reuse, and public awareness.