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Last weekend, Ltd. “ZAAO” (ZAAO) hosted the second session of the program “Saving the Family Budget by Living Greener” at the Regional Circular Economy Education and Competence Center “Daibe.” This time, the session focused on “Household Waste Management Systems and Waste Reduction” and was attended by 16 participants, including guests from Riga.

The event provided both theoretical and practical knowledge on how to adopt more environmentally friendly alternatives in daily life and reduce household waste.

ZAAO Environmental Education Department Head Ieva Freimane-Mihailova emphasizes: "A sustainable lifestyle starts with small changes. Each of us has the opportunity to impact the overall environment through our daily habits. We can all start with what is within our power – using resources more wisely and sparingly."

Participants were introduced to the LEAN philosophy, presented by LEAN and Six Sigma process management expert Linda Liepiņa. She emphasized that a systematic approach can also be useful in household daily tasks. Clear organization and assigning specific places for each item make household chores simpler and more efficient. Knowing where everything is helps avoid unnecessary searching and tidying, saving both time and energy. The main principle the expert recommended for households is to create zoning and consistently stick to it.

Meanwhile, Agnese Gaidelione, the founder and manager of the zero-waste store ieber.lv, shared practical tips on smart shopping planning. She emphasized that a well-thought-out shopping list and a mindful approach to consumption not only help reduce waste but also significantly save the family budget. According to her, smart resource planning is an essential foundation for living both more environmentally friendly and economically.

In addition to the theoretical part, participants were offered a practical workshop on "Making Beeswax Wraps," where everyone learned how to create a sustainable alternative to plastic food wraps. Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, participants actively engaged and showed great interest in exploring the Circular Economy Center's premises.

This year, four more sessions are planned, each dedicated to a specific topic related to an environmentally friendly lifestyle. The next session will take place on March 1, 2025, and its topic will be "Food and Biodegradable Waste." Other planned topics include the impact of water consumption and conservation on the environment, ecosystem services and biodiversity, as well as energy efficiency in households.

The program is open to any adult who wishes to gain practical knowledge and inspiration for a more economical and sustainable lifestyle.

The Regional Circular Economy Education and Competence Center "Daibe" was established within the framework of the LIFE integrated project “Waste To Resources Latvia - boosting regional sustainability and circularity ” (LIFE Waste To Resources IP, LIFE20 IPE/LV/000014) is implemented with the financial support of the LIFE Programme of the European Union and Latvian State Digital Development Agency.

The information reflects only the authors' views and opinions and does not necessarily represent the position of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the funding provider is responsible for the content expressed.