27.05.2024
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Project news:
This year the blue flag will fly at thirteen beaches in Latvia (LV).
Seminar 'Sustainable Packaging: From Design to Recycling 2024
Meeting of the Project Management Group
Five important rules for safe work with asbestos (LV)
Farmers are invited to submit data on generated food waste!
In 2024, data collection on the quantity of generated food waste is taking place.
Guidelines for sustainable management of construction waste on construction sites
Conference 'Create Better, Use Longer - Waste as Resources in Latvia!
The regulation of construction waste recycling and utilization in the legislative framework.
Animated tale about the platform Lietovelreiz.lv
According to the Action Plan for the Transition to a Circular Economy for 2020–2027, the circular economy is a development model that promotes sustainability, aiming to extend the lifecycle of products, thereby reducing the amount of resources consumed and waste generated, as well as the impact on the environment. According to EUROSTAT data for 2022, in Latvia, materials are reused in production half as much as the European Union average, and resource productivity (the value created from one unit of resource) in Latvia is below the European Union average. Developing the circular economy in Latvia will promote the sharing of materials, reuse and recycling, repair of goods, renting, and other innovative solutions, thereby improving our resource management and waste management practices.
Industrial symbiosis is a synergistic form of collaboration that involves the sharing and exchanging of resources among different companies to ensure efficient resource use, increase productivity, and reduce environmental impact by sustainably managing by-products generated in the production process. Latvia's first industrial symbiosis platform, SINERGIA has beenestablished Within the framework of the LIFE integrated project "From Waste to Resources’’. The platform's implementers are project partners Association CLEANTECH LATVIA, Cēsis Municipality, Riga Technical University, and SIA “ZAAO”.
The main goal of SINERGIA is to enhance the ability of Latvian manufacturers to efficiently utilize by-products or residues obtained in production processes.
The platform offers companies opportunities to network, participate in workshops and information exchange, map available resources, and identify potential symbioses.
Industrial symbiosis platform:
• Adds value to Latvian industry
• Reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing industry
• Promotes economic cooperation
The seminar provided insights into the circular economy and the principles of industrial symbiosis. Participants learned about the concept of industrial symbiosis and its implementation steps and worked in groups to map incoming resources and process residues, as well as to generate ideas for further utilization of residues. Participants of the SINERGIA platform will have the opportunity to participate in working groups for developing industrial symbiosis opportunities, share and gain experience in Europe, and utilize the platform’s acceleration program for using by-products generated in production processes.
"The seminar provided not only theoretical knowledge but also introduced practical tools for more effectively utilizing resources and reducing environmental impact. It was inspiring and offered specific ideas on how to recycle residues and by-products, thereby creating new value and reducing costs" Jevgenijs Dmitrijevs, Development Director of APF Holdings.
According to a survey* by "Norstat Latvia," one-third of Latvian residents would never purchase used electrical appliances. Therefore, as part of the LIFE integrated project "From Waste to Resources," the environmental management company SIA "Eco Baltia vide," in collaboration with "Latvijas Zaļais punkts," "Maxima Latvija," and "Tet," has launched the "Give a Chance to Repair" campaign to educate the public and change perceptions about the purchase of used devices, repair, and responsible disposal of electrical goods. The survey indicates that more than half of the residents would buy more expensive appliances if they were easier to repair, indicating a growing readiness to invest in more sustainable solutions. 32% of respondents note that they would purchase used electrical goods if the price were more favorable. Latvia has established a comprehensive system for collecting electrical appliances, ensuring that hazardous substances are removed and processed in accordance with environmental protection requirements. Unwanted electrical goods can be disposed of at waste sorting sites throughout Latvia. Small appliances and batteries can be deposited in special sorting bins located in retail stores. Similarly, collection services for electrical appliances can be arranged with one's waste management operator.
To promote the return of used electrical equipment to circulation, on February 7th, the "Lab!" electronics repair workshop operated by SIA "Eco Baltia vide" was opened in Rumbula. The workshop employs two experienced technicians who diagnose and repair devices, often at very low costs.
According to data from the State Environmental Service of the Republic of Latvia, around 30,000 tons of electrical equipment are introduced into the Latvian market each year, while only about 20,000 tons of used equipment are collected. Most of these could be repaired and reused, but the fate of 10,000 tons of electrical equipment remains unknown. Repaired devices will be donated to charity and sold on the website www.lietovelreiz.lv. In early 2025, SIA "Eco Baltia vide" plans to open a special store for used and repaired electrical equipment. In collaboration with charitable organizations such as "Otrā elpa," "Tavi Draugi," and "SOS Bērnu ciemats," repaired electrical equipment is already being distributed to those who need it most.
*"The survey by 'Norstat Latvia' was conducted in February of this year, with the participation of 1003 residents aged 18 to 74 years."
Riga Technical University's Science and Innovation Center, the association CLEANTECH LATVIA, SIA "ZAAO," and Cesis Municipality have begun implementing the "Waste to Resources" acceleration program to promote the implementation of circular economy innovations in Latvia.
In production processes, a large amount of waste is often generated, posing a challenge for companies. The program will provide opportunities for collaboration between various sectors, involving both manufacturing companies and other market participants, including small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and individuals, to obtain new materials and resources from waste, thereby promoting entrepreneurship and eco-innovation. The program will be implemented in three stages from June 2024 to June 2026, during which participants will seek solutions to the challenges faced by local manufacturing companies.
Each acceleration phase will last for nine months and will include industry expert-led training, workshops, and further work on solution development.
In Cesis Municipality, there are companies that already implement the principles of circular economy in their operations. These companies serve as examples of best practices for the wider implementation of circular economy both within the municipality and at the national level in Latvia. In Cesis Municipality, companies in the forestry and agricultural sectors are considered leaders in the efficient use of resources and waste-free operations.
Natural resources, even the smallest residues like ashes from burning wood residues for heating, are fully utilized, for instance, in road construction. Environmental issues are also encouraged to be addressed by Scandinavian clients and Scandinavian production standards. The zero-waste principle provides financial benefits for both companies and their partners. In construction, the circular use of resources is financially advantageous for companies themselves, resulting in companies often having a more progressive view of the circular economy than what is currently required by regulatory standards. A positive example in the agricultural sector of implementing circular economy is the mutual cooperation among entrepreneurs in equipment usage, efficient resource management across various sectors, production of various products, the use of direct customer networks, cooperative utilization, and continuous education.
In the forestry sector, all by-products and wood residues are useful or return to nature, making it easy for companies to operate according to the principles of circular economy. However, in Cesis municipality, forests are still often managed through clearcutting, which is not a sustainable logging method and in the long term depletes forest resources, leading to a future situation where mature trees may not be available for logging.
12% of the municipality's waste is generated s a result of retail operations. Out of the 428 retail companies registered in the municipality in 2022, only 18 companies inherently adhere to the principles of the circular economy by offering product rental, repair, or selling used goods. The way a product is packaged influences the amount of waste generated by end-users, so it is important to reconsider packaging materials. One way to address packaging issues in the municipality is by placing cardboard boxes in several stores that customers can use for free to carry their purchases.
In the field of medicine, there are also opportunities to apply the principles of the circular economy. As a prospective solution, healthcare entrepreneurs in Cesis Municipality advocate for transitioning from disposable to reusable instruments and auxiliary equipment, as well as promoting public education on health literacy and sustainability. In the education sector, the principles of the circular economy can be applied in school management and the sustainable use of educational resources. Representatives from the education sector in Cesis Municipality acknowledge that due to a shortage of textbooks, educational materials are often reprinted or copied, but not always passed down from year to year. In the municipality's schools, there are 10 general education schools and 4 pre-school educational institutions represented in the Eco-School programme, which promotes circular economy-oriented thinking in these educational institutions. Craftsmen and artisans play an important role in promoting the long-term use of items by utilizing their skills to repair damaged items rather than discarding them.
Overall, in Cesis municipality, the most promising materials for better resource circulation are products resulting from dismantling, which can be useful in construction, as well as biodegradable materials that serve as a high-quality source of compost.
On March 26th, the fifth meeting of the "Dialogue with Science" series was held as part of the LIFE project "From Waste to Resources." In this session, experts from the fields of environment, technology, and sustainable development shared ideas and research results on the utilization of waste as a resource.
Senior expert of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia and representative of the LIFE integrated project "From Waste to Resources," Sandija Svarupa, presented the latest research and project updates, introducing participants to the platforms created within the project: lietovelreiz.lv; sinergia.lv, and atkritumuaudits.lv, which promote the transition to the circular economy. Kristīne Āboliņa, representative of the Cesis Municipality, emphasized the importance of research in ensuring future resource availability, highlighting the need to implement circular economy principles in practice. Ilze Baltiņa, representative of theInstitute of Architecture and Design of Riga Technical University, presented student research projects on textile recycling and reuse, emphasizing the importance of eco-design and informing about the offer of e-learning courses. Māris Šinka, representative of the Institute of High-Performance Materials and Structures at Riga Technical University, analyzed the environmental impact of the building materials industry and offered solutions for waste reduction and more efficient resource utilization. Zigmārs Brunavs, representative of the association CLEANTECH LATVIA, introduced participants to the industrial symbiosis platform sinergia.lv.
The discussion confirmed that waste as a resource utilization is crucial for promoting sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of research, technology development, and collaboration in promoting resource efficiency and waste reduction.
The Latgale Planning Region (LPR), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and the Europe Direct South Latgale Center, organized an online seminar for local governments on waste management and the circular economy. Alise Vecozola, from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and leader of the LIFE integrated project "From Waste to Resources," shared information about various campaigns implemented within the project, including the "Lab!" electronics repair workshop, the industrial symbiosis platform sinergia.lv created by the association CLEANTECH LATVIA, and the manufacturing company acceleration program. Diana Stendzeniece, Environmental Protection Specialist at Liepaja Municipality, spoke about environmental challenges in the city, emphasizing that approximately 41% of environmental pollution is caused by cigarette butts and that more discussions with the public are needed on this issue. Oskars Zugickis, Director of the Europe Direct South Latgale Center, highlighted environmental education initiatives such as "Green Light to Be Heard," which focuses on eco-schools and educational institutions. This collaboration demonstrates a growing interest in addressing environmental issues and gives hope for significant improvements in the future.
SIA "ZAAO," in collaboration with SIA "Konsorts," has developed the operational model of the Vidzeme Regional Circular Economy Center located at 5 Dzelzceļa Street in Valmiera. The goal is to establish a system that promotes the reuse, repair, and recycling of goods. The main advantages of this initiative include innovative solutions in the circular economy, public education and participation in sustainable consumption and waste recycling, as well as economic and environmental benefits such as creating new jobs and reducing waste volume.
At the end of 2023, a survey commissioned by association "Zero Waste Latvia" on the attitudes and habits of Latvian residents regarding item rental revealed that the majority of Latvian residents view item rental opportunities positively. However, approximately one-fifth of the respondents are not confident about the availability of rental services, indicating the need to improve awareness and accessibility regarding rental service providers.
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