Municipal waste manager Ltd. “ZAAO” (ZAAO), in collaboration with Ltd. “Konsorts” has successfully completed work on the development of the operational model of the Vidzeme Regional Circular Economy Center (VRAEC) in Valmiera, Dzelzceļa iela 5. This achievement was made possible thanks to the support of the European Union's LIFE program. Participation in the project “Waste To Resources Latvia - boosting regional sustainability and circularity” is one of the significant steps towards advancing the circular economy in the Vidzeme region.
The main goal of the activity is to create an ecosystem that promotes the reuse, repair, and recycling of goods, making it accessible and acceptable to a wide segment of society. This center will serve as a strong stimulus to the local economy by promoting sustainable consumption, creating new jobs, reducing the volume of waste generation, and promoting waste recycling.
Main benefits
Innovative Circular Economy Solutions
VRAEC will provide the infrastructure and services necessary to promote the reuse and recycling of goods, thus creating a sustainable resource management model in Vidzeme.
Education and Community Engagement
Activities include extensive information and education campaigns aimed at promoting sustainable consumption and the importance of waste recycling. This will foster greater public understanding and involvement in waste recycling.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
The implementation of the VRAEC project will promote the creation of new jobs, improve resource efficiency, and reduce the volume of waste, thus making a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the region.
VRAEC plans to accept a wide range of goods to promote efficient resource use and reduce waste volume. Based on both international and ZAAO's experience in waste management, the center will initially accept various groups of goods:
furniture, providing separation between soft and hard or case furniture to facilitate it`s reuse or recycling;
various types of containers that are still usable or refurbishable;
home textiles and apparel for reuse or recycling;
decorative and interior items;
renewable or reusable toys and games for children;
books;
electrical appliances and household electronics;
materials and supplies for crafts and DIY;
sports, camping, and hobby equipment, bicycles;
leisure and garden accessories;
usable building and renovation materials.
The selected product groups are chosen not only based on potential waste volume and structure but also in consideration of societal needs and trends towards sustainable consumption. VRAEC aims to become the main point where residents and businesses of Vidzeme can not only transfer used resources for reuse and recycling, but also acquire new knowledge about the circular economy and sustainable living.
"The establishment of such a center is a new, significant step towards a more sustainable and greener future in Vidzeme, which will definitely require a change in residents' habits for VRAEC to not only reduce waste volume but also promote economic growth, creating new business opportunities and jobs," states ZAAO project manager Gunita Vizule.
