Following the conclusion of the #TīriRīgasMeži #VidesSOS campaign by “Rīgas Meži” and the State Environmental Service, the number of reports received via the “Vides SOS” app concerning illegally dumped waste in the capital's forests has increased by more than a third over two months. The costs incurred by “Rīgas Meži” for waste disposal over these two months have exceeded six thousand euros. Consequently, during this period, approximately 40 tonnes of waste have been removed from the company's forests, including reports based on information from the “Vides SOS” app.

The 3 main types of waste: primarily bulky waste – about 25 tonnes; the second largest category: construction waste – approximately 15 tonnes; and in November – used vehicle tyres!

The most frequently polluted areas in Riga and the Pierīga region: the vicinity of Rencēnu Street and the Bolderāja area (Riga Forest District), Ropaži and Ādaži municipalities (Gauja Forest District), and the surroundings of Mārupe and Olaine (Tīreļi Forest District). Illegal forest pollution was also recorded in other “Rīgas Meži” forest districts and areas.

Anita Skudra, Chairperson of the Board of “Rīgas Meži”: “On one hand, it is welcome that technology allows us to promptly identify and address forest pollution, thereby reducing the degrading impact of waste on the environment. However, it simultaneously highlights that waste is a significant issue for the forestry sector. Specifically, instead of foresters planting trees, investing resources in tending young stands, etc., energy and funds are being spent on rectifying the consequences of irresponsible actions by malicious individuals.”

“Rīgas Meži” views the problem of forest pollution with great concern, not least because waste disposal costs are set to rise by more than 10% next year. Therefore, in cooperation with other services, mechanisms must be created to motivate and stop residents from polluting our collective property – the forest.

The State Environmental Service reports that the campaign has successfully drawn wider public attention to the problem of waste dumped in the environment; compared to reports received last year, a 12% increase in reports has been observed across Latvia this year. During the campaign, compared to the same period last year, the number of reports referred by the State Environmental Service to “Rīgas Meži” for review has tripled. Compared to the two-month period last year, the total number of reports received in the “Vides SOS” app regarding waste maliciously dumped in nature has also increased, exceeding 600 reports.

To reduce pollution in the forests of Riga and the Pierīga region and to remind the public of the benefits of the “Vides SOS” app, which helps residents report information and enables land managers to obtain data on illegally dumped forest waste more promptly, “Rīgas Meži” and the State Environmental Service launched the #TīriRīgasMeži #VidesSOS campaign on 27 September this year!

The campaign concluded at the end of November, but “Rīgas Meži” pays constant attention to illegally dumped waste in its territories. For example, it informs the public, places barriers at forest entrances, installs surveillance cameras, and cooperates with law enforcement.

Within the framework of the #TīriRīgasMeži #VidesSOS campaign:

• residents were encouraged to use the “Vides SOS” app so that territory managers could receive information about dumped waste promptly and collect it,

• clear information was provided about the app's benefits and results – the situation in “Rīgas Meži” territories before and after waste collection,

• municipalities where “Rīgas Meži” forests are located were invited to join the campaign – to get involved in the fight for a clean environment and against illegal waste dumping, as well as to inform residents about opportunities for sorting and disposing of bulky, biological, or other waste.

“Rīgas Meži” and the State Environmental Service remind and urge: What you bring into the forest, take out of the forest! See waste in the forest?! Report it on “Vides SOS”!