News

On 7 September, the third meeting within the framework of the conversation cycle "Dialogue with Science" took place where partners of the LIFE Waste to Resources IP project - the LLC (SIA) “Eco Baltia vide” and the association “Zaļā brīvība”, as well as representatives of the Riga Stradiņš University and the Riga Technical University presented activities related to waste of textile and electrical and electronic equipment. The conversation cycle is implemented to strengthen the exchange of information between the scientific and public and private sectors and to strengthen cooperation and dialogue.

One of the objectives of the LIFE Waste To Resources IP project is strengthening of cooperation and building of dialogue with science. A practical working document "Strategy for Dialogue with Science 2028" is already under preparation, which includes measures to promote cooperation and information exchange between the project and university representatives.

Several experts in specific fields of action were invited to share their knowledge. Ms Sandija Svarupa, Senior Expert of the LIFE Integrated Project Implementation Division of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, opened the meeting and shared information on the project's achievements so far and the updates for the following months. Several public awareness campaigns have been implemented, such as the information campaign "Style - textile" by the LLC (SIA) “Eco Baltia vide” and the "Broke down? Don't throw it away!" campaign to raise public awareness of the need to sort textiles and electronic equipment to promote the reuse of materials and to recycle goods back into circulation. Whereas, within the framework of the “Mana jūra” (My Sea) campaign, results of the 2023 summer monitoring of marine waste have been summarised. 10 information and education stands "Don't lie in the garbage!” have been installed at various locations on Latvian beaches. The project has also created various infrastructure and development solutions, such as the LLC (SIA) “CLEAN R” construction material and repair item and sorted and recycled waste exchange point "Nomales" in Rumbula, Stopiņi Parish; industrial symbiosis platform SINERGIA has been established. Whereas, the LLC (SIA) “ZAAO” will establish a regional circular economy education and competence centre "Daibe", which will provide knowledge on environmental and circular economy issues. The results can be found on the project website under "News" and "Results" sections.

Presentations were made by Ms Diāna Baranovska, Project Manager of the LLC (SIA) “Eco Baltia Vide”, who informed about the data of the consumer behaviour survey on the purchase habits of used electrical equipment in Latvia and the experience gained in France on how the electrical equipment repair centres work in practice, the model of operation of which will be the basis for the electrical equipment repair centre planned for 2024 in Stopiņi.

Whereas, Ms Inese Mārtiņsone, Head of the Laboratory of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases at Riga Stradiņš University, presented the available data on the impact of electrical engineering on human health. It was concluded that, since a large part of the electronic devices produced are manufactured outside the European Union, third countries often do not have requirements on the chemical composition of the goods and they can be harmful to human health. In addition, studies have shown that chemicals are released into the human body when people are in direct contact with such electrical appliances, for example, when working with them.

Ms Dace Akule, researcher of the association "Zaļā brīvība", presented the results of the study on sorting and sustainable use of household textiles in Latvia and comprehensive information on textile waste management and longevity of textile products was provided by Dr.Sc.ing, Professor of Riga Technical University Inga Dāboliņa. Dace Akule talked about the statistical data, how much used textiles have been imported and exported in Latvia in recent years, what are the dynamics of the flow changes, what are the challenges for textile waste collection and recycling in the coming years at national, company and level of residents. The presentation also included various recommendations and strategic forward-looking questions on the directions of textile waste development.

Dr.Sc.ing. Inga Dāboliņa focused her presentation on research on the recyclability of textile waste, concluding that the textile waste that currently ends up in textile containers is not really waste at all, as it is destined for further use through export. Textile waste that is no longer usable is very difficult to recycle taking into account the broad range of materials used in a single textile product - for example, a single product may contain cotton, polyester and elastane fibres, or it may contain other metal or plastic parts, which will make it very difficult to separate the fibres and parts for further recycling. Dr Inga Dāboliņa also mentioned the few examples in Europe where textile waste is completely recycled.

Read the presentations:

1. LIFE IP projekta «No atkritumiem uz resursiem» aktualitātes;

2. EEIA un mantu labošanas centra izveide;

3. Jauni atkritumu veidi. Elektroniskie atkritumi;

4. Pētījums "Mājsaimniecību tekstila šķirošana un ilgtspējīga izmantošana Latvijā";

5. Tekstila atkritumu pārvaldība, tekstila produktu izlgmūžība.

Thank you all for taking part in the third conversation cycle “Dialogue with Science”!