30.06.2025
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On March 26, 2025, the most modern and best-equipped sorted waste collection site in Latvia was opened in Riga, at 5b Vietalvas Street. It was created by “CleanR” with financial support from the European Union’s LIFE program.
The site will significantly improve waste sorting opportunities for both individuals and businesses.
“Surveys show that one of the main obstacles to sorting is the lack of suitable infrastructure,” emphasizes Valerijs Stankevičs, Chairman of the Board of “CleanR.”
The site is equipped with approximately 30 containers for different types of waste, including hazardous and bulky waste. Certain types of waste can be disposed of free of charge by individuals, while services for legal entities are available for a fee.
For convenience, digital screens, an information guide, and an automated tracking system have been installed. There is also an exchange point where people can drop off equipment, dishes, books, and other items for reuse.
Opening hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Wednesday and Sunday: closed
At the same time, a digital environmental education platform, www.videspratiba.lv, was also launched, providing clear and easy-to-understand information about waste sorting.
In March this year, the third session of the educational program “Saving the Family Budget by Living Greener” took place at the regional circular economy center "Daibe." The topic was biodegradable waste and composting.
More than 20 participants went on a tour of the bio-waste processing plant and learned about the industrial composting process. Composting ambassador Zane Kopštāle encouraged developing daily habits that are gentle both to the environment and to the soil.
“Sorting should be as natural as morning coffee.”
ZAAO Environmental Education Manager Ieva Freimane-Mihailova emphasized the importance of resource conservation:
“The easiest waste to recycle is the one that is never created.”
Participants practically made “compost burgers” and discussed compost quality and the conditions for its formation.
The event also catered to children—they took part in an animation workshop about bio-waste sorting.
The upcoming sessions will cover topics such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and biodiversity preservation.
Cigarette butts are one of the most common types of litter worldwide and have a negative impact on the environment. They can take decades to decompose, and their plastic content contributes to microplastic pollution.
In Latvia, especially along the coast, this problem is more pronounced. On the beach in Liepāja, cigarette butts dominate among all collected waste. This situation highlights the need to improve infrastructure and strengthen public awareness.
To draw attention to the issue of cigarette butt pollution, an informational seminar with environmental experts and local government representatives was held in Liepāja on April 10, 2025.
Participants in the seminar included:
• Jānis Ulme, Head of the Environmental Education Fund – who presented the results of cigarette pollution monitoring along the coast.
• Māra Grants, LIFE Project Manager at “Zaļā josta” – who introduced the project’s goals and achievements in addressing the cigarette butt problem.
• Representatives of Liepāja Municipality – who informed about planned measures for public education and environmental improvement in the city.
To reduce cigarette butt pollution and promote responsible behavior, LTD “Zaļā josta” is launching an environmental initiative in Liepāja.
Three cigarette butt infrastructure installations have been set up in Liepāja, combining informational materials about the consequences of pollution with functional cigarette butt receptacles.
The installations are located at the end of Vaiņode Street, the end of Roņu Street (seasonally), and 21 Atmodas Boulevard (permanently).
“We want to visually show how important each person’s choice is—whether a cigarette butt ends up in the environment or in a receptacle. Changing habits begins with awareness,” says Māra Grants, project manager at LTD “Zaļā josta.”
Before installing the installations, cigarette butt pollution monitoring was conducted to determine the most suitable locations. The goal of the installations is to inform that a single cigarette butt can pollute up to 100 liters of water and remain in the environment for years.
The first installation was set up on May 6 of this year at 21 Atmodas Boulevard, and the installations in the city will remain in place for five years.
On April 23 of this year, an online seminar was held presenting data on the amount of food waste in Latvia, obtained within the LIFE Integrated Project “Waste To Resources Latvia - boosting regional sustainability and circularity”. The research was conducted by Riga Stradiņš University in cooperation with LTD “Jaunrades laboratorija.”
The seminar was attended by representatives from the food industry, local governments, and other interested parties to learn about the methods used, the results obtained, and the next steps in reducing food waste.
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The total amount of food waste generated in Latvia in 2024 was 269,596.9 tons. This corresponds to an average of 144 kg of food waste per person per year.
Breakdown by stages:
Primary production (agriculture): 23,297 tons (12.5 kg/person)
Food processing and manufacturing: 27,478 tons (14.7 kg/person)
Trade and distribution: 41,359 tons (22.1 kg/person)
Catering: 16,771 tons (9 kg/person)
Households: 160,692 tons (85.8 kg/person)
The largest amount of food waste is generated by households. The most common reasons are buying more food than needed, not monitoring expiration dates, and improper food storage. More than half of this waste is thrown away with regular household garbage.
What can you do?
Plan your shopping and meals;
Pay attention to food expiration dates;
Store and use food responsibly;
Compost or sort food waste.
Seminar presentations in Latvian
From April 17, 2025, information about producers involved in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems is automatically published on the State Environmental Service (VVD) Registry website.
EPR systems require producers to be responsible for managing the waste generated by the products they place on the market, ensuring their collection, recycling, and recovery. To receive an exemption from the natural resource tax (NRT), producers must have a contract with a VVD-recognized EPR operator.
Now available on the VVD Registry website:
A list of EPR operators with whom VVD has contracts for implementing EPR;
Producers involved in EPR who currently hold exemptions from paying NRT for specific NRT objects.
The new system reduces administrative burden, improves transparency, and promotes public engagement, helping to reduce the grey economy. Information about EPR operators for textiles and plastic products is still published manually, but these data will also be included in the automatic publishing system in the future, along with the introduction of the respective e-services.
In August 2026, a new European regulation on packaging and packaging waste will come into force, significantly impacting production, recycling, and use across the EU. The upcoming changes were discussed at the seminar “Sustainable Packaging 2025,” organized by “Latvijas Zaļais punkts” in cooperation with LBTU and the Latvian Packaging Association.
Rudīte Vesere, Deputy State Secretary for Environmental Policy at the Ministry of Climate and Energy, said:
“This regulation is not just a regulatory framework – it introduces a new way of thinking in the supply chain, where sustainability and responsibility are the main principles.”
Kaspars Zakulis, Director of Latvijas Zaļais punkts, said:
“Latvia is already taking steps toward more environmentally friendly packaging – innovations in the tax system motivate the use of recyclable materials and strengthen producer responsibility.”
The regulation sets limits on packaging volume, harmful substances in its composition, and imposes obligations on producers to ensure reusable and recyclable packaging. By 2040, the amount of used packaging must be reduced by 15% compared to 2018.
To promote recycling, since July 1, 2024, Latvia has introduced a natural resource tax on non-recycled plastic: €0.80/kg or €1.25/kg, depending on its recyclability.
A study by LBTU revealed that 11.24% of packaging volume is excessively large, and 22% has no indication of the material type.
Sandra Muižniece-Brasava, researcher at LBTU, said:
“Producers are aware of the need for change, but the transition is not simple—a new packaging material can affect the product’s shelf life and logistics.”
Kristīne Geidāne, Quality Manager at SIA “Nordic Plast,” highlighted practical challenges:
“Laboratory tests often reveal that packaging deemed recyclable in theory is actually not recyclable. Therefore, material testing is essential, not just labeling.”
The seminar emphasized the need to develop recycling infrastructure, improve labeling, and change the mindset of both producers and consumers. Latvia has the opportunity to become a regional leader in sustainable packaging, based on science and practice.
On May 14 this year, the second Bioregion Forum took place at the “Cēsis” concert hall under the main theme “Local Economy, Circularity, and Organic Food.” The forum brought together representatives from the government, municipalities, NGOs, and businesses to discuss the next steps for sustainable bioregion development.
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The first part of the forum provided an overview of the progress made since the establishment of the Gauja National Park Bioregion in 2023 — including the development of the bioregion's visual identity, improvements in green public procurement, and public engagement in promoting organic food and circularity.
Kristīne Āboliņa, expert from the LIFE project “From Waste to Resources” in Cēsis Municipality, presented the circular economy roadmap developed for the Cēsis region.
Practical solutions were illustrated by two local entrepreneurs: Aleksandrs Safonovs (SIA “BioLana”), who shared an example of producing fertilizer from sheep wool, and Aigars Ruņģis (SIA “Valmiermuižas alus”), who emphasized the importance of mindset change in resource use.
The forum also introduced the digital platforms lietovelreiz.lv and sinergia.lv, as well as the New School of Construction's initiative on circular construction education.
Participants could join one of two parallel sessions:
Local Food Cooperation Session focused on challenges and solutions in short food supply chains and included a workshop for developing joint projects. Experience was shared by Cēsis District Rural Partnership, Vidzeme Rural Partnership “Brasla,” and the association “From Salaca to Rūja.”
Resource Use Session featured practical examples of circular economy implementation — with tools for municipalities and businesses, as well as insights into zero-waste management and education.
The event also included “speed dating” sessions between local organic producers and caterers to foster new collaborations.
On May 13 of this year, a free workshop on small household appliance repair took place at the “Lab!” store, Latgales Street 240 in Riga. The event was organized by Latvijas Zaļais punkts and Eco Baltia vide.
Visitors had the opportunity to repair their own devices under the supervision of three professional technicians. The aim of the event was to promote the habit of repairing and extending the lifespan of appliances, thereby reducing the amount of waste.
Diāna Baranovska, Head of the Material Circulation Department at “Eco Baltia vide”:
“By repairing a single device, it is possible to save up to 70% of the resources that would be needed for a new one – this means fewer emissions and less use of raw materials.”
Kaspars Zakulis, Director of “Latvijas Zaļais punkts”:
“People often choose cheap, non-repairable products. We want to change this mindset by promoting a culture of repair and thinking in terms of sustainability.”
Alise Vecozola, Head of the LIFE Project Implementation Division at the Ministry of Climate and Energy:
“The principles of the circular economy are becoming part of everyday life, and this kind of workshop is a great example of how to put them into practice.”
The workshop was held in an individual format—each participant could arrive at a convenient time and receive guidance from professionals to repair their device independently.
Used electrical equipment is environmentally hazardous waste that must be properly recycled. Small electronic devices and batteries can be dropped off at retail locations and recycling centers throughout Latvia. Their locations can be found on the digital sorting map.
On May 15–16 of this year, an international networking event took place at the State Environmental Service in Riga, within the framework of the LIFE Waste to Resources IP project. The event brought together policymakers from the Baltic States and representatives of LIFE integrated projects from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and Cyprus.
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The event was opened by Rudīte Vesere, Deputy State Secretary for Environmental Policy at the Ministry of Climate and Energy, who emphasized:
“By sharing knowledge and learning from both successes and failures, we can accelerate progress and avoid duplicating efforts.”
Representatives from the Baltic States’ ministries introduced current initiatives:
Sandija Sniķere (Latvia) highlighted the establishment of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for textiles as a best practice;
Peep Siim (Estonia) outlined waste management reforms and investments;
Virginija Vingrienė (Lithuania) spoke about public participation and infrastructure challenges.
Representatives from various LIFE projects shared their experiences:
Alise Vecozola (Latvia) presented progress toward separate collection and reuse systems;
Rūta Kukulskytė (Lithuania) emphasized the importance of green procurement;
Małgorzata Wadecka and Malgorzata Zając (Poland) presented pilot projects and regional campaigns;
Joanna Constantinidou (Cyprus) introduced the PAYT system and the “green kiosk” model.
Evija Ozola-Ozoliņa (Latvia, Zero Waste Latvia) presented the platform Lietovelreiz.lv, which promotes material exchange and recycling to reduce waste volume. She stressed the importance of public engagement in the change process.
During the practical part of the event, guests visited:
an electrical appliance repair workshop and the “Lab!” store,
the most modern sorting facility in Riga (Vietalvas Street 5),
and Getliņi EKO, where waste transformation into new resources was demonstrated, significantly reducing landfill pressure.
On May 21 this year, a webinar titled “Home Composting Registry in Municipalities” was held, attended by over 60 participants from municipalities, waste management companies, and NGOs. The event covered both theoretical aspects and practical experiences in creating and implementing home composting registries in Latvia.
Rūta Bendere, head of the Latvian Waste Management Association, presented pilot projects in Liepāja and Preiļi carried out within the LIFE Waste to Resources IP project, emphasizing the composting potential of single- and two-family houses. The discussions also covered various unconventional composting solutions – collaboration with farmers, composting in small gardens, and biological reactors.Presentation in Latvian
Mārtiņš Vīgants, head of the Vidzeme Regional Waste Management Center, shared experience from the Vidzeme region, where a gradual involvement of residents has begun without strict control or penalties.Presentation in Latvian
Simona Mirka (Jelgava Municipality) and Andrejs Eihvalds (Jelgavas Komunālie Pakalpojumi Ltd.) demonstrated successful cooperation in the city of Jelgava.Presentation in Latvian
Kristīne Uškenika, Director of LTD “Jumis,” spoke about the operation of the composting site “Kreiļi” in Sigulda, noting that the compost is not yet available to residents, but interest is high. The preparation of the compost is carried out with the help of an external service provider.Presentation in Latvian
The event was concluded by Zane Kopštāle from Komposts.lv, who provided practical advice on composting at home.Presentation in Latvian
Overall, the need for a unified approach to data collection and harmonized requirements for creating composting registers was emphasized, so that they can be used for recycling goals and other calculations.
The next webinar in the “Dialogue with Science” series is planned for September 2025.
On May 23rd this year, the quarterly management meeting of the LIFE integrated project "Waste to Resources IP" took place at the AEC “Daibe,” where partners discussed the project’s progress, results, and next steps.
The meeting was opened by Rudīte Vesere, Deputy State Secretary for Environmental Policy at the Ministry of Climate and Energy, who emphasized the importance of the asbestos support program: “State support in this area confirms how important these measures are and how significant the progress we have made is.”
LTD “Zaļā josta” reported positive public reactions to the environmental installations set up on the beaches of Liepāja;
Cēsis Municipality shared updates on the development of a circular economy roadmap and upcoming campaigns;
LTD ZAAO continues work on creating a new sorted waste collection site in Vidzeme;
LTD Latvijas Zaļais punkts has already reached over 1.5 million residents through its communication activities;
LTD Nordic Plast completed testing of plastic packaging – 70% of the packaging is recyclable, while 30% is not yet recyclable;
CLEANTECH LATVIA’s acceleration program is promoting new ideas, such as mushroom cultivation on brewery substrate;
Baltic Coasts are studying environmental tax systems and the “pay-as-you-throw” approach;
The Environmental Education Fund continues the campaign “My Sea,” which will take place this year from July 12 to August 12;
LTD Druplat has installed a prototype machine that produces pallet blocks from wood waste and textile fibers;
The Latvian Builders Association is preparing educational seminars and planning a sustainable construction code;
The LAB! store, developed by LTD Eco Baltia vide, has reached over 7 million users and sold 900 repaired devices in just four months.
In the second part of the meeting, participants were introduced to LTD ZAAO’s mechanical food packaging separation equipment and the new biogas plant. These examples clearly demonstrate the project partners’ commitment to advancing sustainable resource use and waste reduction.
On May 13–14 this year, the international School Catering Forum took place in Daugavpils, gathering more than 80 participants from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden. The event focused on sustainable catering in schools and served as an important platform for experience sharing and regional cooperation.
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The forum was opened by Anne Saloranta, the Ambassador of Finland to Latvia, who emphasized the importance of cooperation in establishing a high-quality school catering system. This was followed by presentations of experiences from the European Commission and the Italian School Catering Coalition. From Latvia, Agnese Radžele-Šulce shared the inspiring initiative “From Farm to School” in Latgale.
Discussions also highlighted the experiences of Finland and Sweden in reducing food waste, while an interactive workshop helped participants understand the complex food procurement chain.
Guests visited a preschool educational institution and enjoyed the culinary heritage of Latgale at Rainis’ House in Berķene as part of the cultural program.
The second day of the forum was dedicated to sustainable food procurement. The Procurement Monitoring Bureau called for greater flexibility, the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre (LLKC) presented the platform novadagarsa.lv, and the Latvian Sustainable Procurement Association emphasized the role of green criteria.
International partners — Lithuania’s CPO LT, Sweden’s Vallentuna Municipality, and Estonia’s Tartu County Municipality — presented modern and innovative food procurement solutions. Latgales Dabas Dots demonstrated how local producers can successfully supply products to schools.
Workshops formulated joint conclusions — the need for unified digital platforms, consideration of the national context, and the encouragement of a Baltic pilot project to test a dynamic food procurement system.
The event concluded with a visit to the Aglona Bread Museum, where participants enjoyed food and songs in a symbolic spirit of community. The forum was organized as part of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project “Circular Changes in the Food Sector,” in cooperation with partners from Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Sweden.
To promote modern, clear, and efficient waste management, the Ministry of Climate and Energy has developed recommendations for municipalities on how to improve household waste management systems and facilitate the transition to a circular economy. The main directions of the recommendations are:
Closer cooperation with residential building managers;
Regulations for organizers of public events to reduce waste;
Regular information exchange among involved parties—municipalities, waste managers, and residents;
Unified and transparent information on municipal websites about all types of waste;
Implementation of a “pay-as-you-throw” system to encourage sorting and reduce costs.
These recommendations serve as practical support for municipalities to enhance policies and cooperate effectively with the public. They provide a clear roadmap for implementing a system based on circular economy principles.
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