Every year, the volume of household waste generated around the world increases. Large part of our waste is still usable, but if it does not find a new owner, it wastes the world's resources and causes pollution. To reduce waste, everyone has the opportunity to consider whether they really need something before buying it. If you can't do without something, see if you can buy it on the secondary market or borrow it.
At the end of June, specialists from local government of the Cēsis Municipality Environmental Department, within the framework of the LIFE Waste To Resources IP (LIFE20 IPE/LV/000014) project went on an experience exchange visit to the ReTuna Circular Economy Centre in Eskilstuna, Sweden. To reduce the disposal of unwanted but still useful items, the Swedish municipality set up the ReTuna drop-off point and supermarket in 2015. "ReTuna” has a set up resource collection point where people can drop off useful items (furniture, sports equipment, gardening goods, clothing and footwear, electronics, dishes, design items and other household items) free of charge, which are then sorted according to a "wish list" of around 10 small businesses operating in the supermarket and given to the shops for sale free of charge. The local government has also established cooperation with primary schools, and the donated materials (decorations, fabrics, toys, stationery, wallpaper rolls, etc.) are also used for creative activities in primary schools. Students learn that good things can be made from recovered materials and things that are left over.
In the "ReTuna" supermarket, what's spare for one, is useful for others!
“ReTuna” also has a Recycled Design School offering an adult education programme where participants learn sewing skills using recycled materials over the course of one year. The workshop equipment comes from items donated by residents. The centre will soon open a co-creation workshop offering work with wood, metal and other materials under the guidance of master craftsmen.
Interior design element - a chair made of recycled materials
Activities of the circular economy in the municipality have contributed to addressing the issue of employment of vulnerable social groups in the region. The centre employs people who would have difficulties finding work elsewhere. According to a “ReTuna” employee, they feel proud and satisfied to be able to do valuable work. To promote the reuse of useful items, this autumn, circularity cabinets will be installed in the Eco Square at 19 Lapsu Street, Cēsis, giving residents the opportunity to drop off and pick up items that are still useful. Whereas, within the framework of the LIFE Waste To Resources IP, LIFE20 IPE/LV/000014 project, local government of the Cēsis Municipality will set up a co-creation workshop in Cēsis, where residents will have the opportunity to restore things or create new things from recycled materials under the guidance of master craftsmen.