SIA “Rīgas Meži” has begun implementing a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for managing waste from the capital's parks and gardens for Riga residents. Specifically, leaves, grass clippings, wilted flowers and other biological mass collected in the green spaces managed by the company will, in compliance with regulatory requirements, be stored at the first waste composting site established by “Rīgas Meži” this year. The resulting compost will be used to enrich the soil in Riga's green areas. This is the first garden and park waste composting site of its kind in Latvia. It was developed through the collaboration of two municipal capital companies – “Rīgas Meži” and “Rīgas Ūdens” – with active involvement from municipal representatives.

This specific site was established in accordance with the amendments made early this year to the 13 December 2016 Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 788, “Regulations on waste collection and sorting sites”. The amended regulations clarify the primary requirements for setting up garden and park waste composting sites, providing for a simplified procedure: the area must be fenced, and information about the composting site operator must be displayed at the site. A location near Vārnukrogs was found in the Riga vicinity, where “Rīgas Ūdens” stores sludge obtained from the wastewater treatment process. Experts, including those from the State Environmental Service, have given a positive assessment of the new site near the capital for storing biological mass and creating compost. Moreover, it is located directly adjacent to an area under the management of “Rīgas Meži”, which resolves several infrastructure and logistical issues.

Previously, “Rīgas Meži” handed over biological mass to waste management companies. At current prices, this costs the company more than 100,000 euros annually.

Anita Skudra, Chair of the Board of “Rīgas Meži”: “This project was implemented in record time! When carefully evaluating the company's expenditure items, it became clear that the costs for waste disposal were rising dramatically; they had more than doubled. It was clear that radical solutions were needed regarding the waste issue. In cooperation with “Rīgas Ūdens”, a quick, sustainable, and wallet-friendly solution for the residents of Riga was found. This is both an economically advantageous and a sustainable project. We can finally give a second life to all the biological waste produced in our territories!”

Māris Zviedris, Head of the “Daugavgrīva” Biological Treatment Plant at SIA “Rīgas Ūdens”: “Biological mass that has grown from the earth or fallen from trees in autumn as leaves belongs to the earth, and naturally, it must be returned to the soil as compost and fertiliser that enriches it. We are pleased that we have found an opportunity to help city residents live in a clean and tidy environment, even if only indirectly. We understand and support these processes because we have been involved in supplying biological sludge for the improvement of agricultural land for many years. We believe that by combining our efforts and expertise, we can implement environmentally friendly and economically viable solutions in the long term.”