The Ministry of Climate and Energy has developed modern and engaging educational materials and a video series about how biological waste can become a valuable resource and gain a new life through the principles of the circular economy. These materials were created within the framework of the European Union LIFE Integrated Project “Waste as Resources in Latvia” and are intended for Grade 8 Geography lessons.
“Looking at the waste issue in Latvia and globally, we still produce too much waste and recycle too little. In recent years, we have significantly increased the amount of sorted waste, but more needs to be done, as unsorted waste remains buried in Latvia’s soil. This is not a good legacy for future generations. To change habits, we need to raise awareness in society. The teaching materials help young people understand that biological waste is a resource with potential. When managed properly—by sorting or composting—it not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also allows for the production of energy and the creation of valuable soil enhancers,”
emphasizes Kaspars Melnis, Minister for Climate and Energy.
The teaching kit helps students understand what happens to biological waste, how it affects material cycles, and how it can be reused—both for energy production and soil improvement. The materials are freely available to all schools on the website mape.gov.lv, in the section "Ģeogrāfija – 8. klase"
Students will be able to:
Study the topic with the material “Biological Waste and Their Role in the Material Cycle”;
Work practically with the worksheet “Compost Pyramid” to learn what can be composted;
Take part in a mini role-play “Waste or Gold?” to evaluate the benefits and challenges of biogas production;
Test their knowledge in an interactive Kahoot! quiz.
Teachers are provided with two lesson plans (40 + 40 minutes) and a resource pack containing links to educational videos, games, and practical activities.
To make the topic even more understandable and engaging, a series of four educational videos has been developed for students:
What are biological waste?
Biological waste as an energy resource
Proper waste sorting
How to make compost?
Each video is short, dynamic, and rich in examples, encouraging viewers to see waste as a value, not a problem. The videos are available on YouTube by searching for their titles.
The educational materials were developed in cooperation with the State Education Development Agency. They comply with the national education standard and can be used in both classroom learning and digital learning environments.
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