Four-fifths, or 82% of residents in Riga and the surrounding region, admit that more practical tips and information on personal benefits would motivate them to change their habits and reduce the amount of waste generated daily, according to a public opinion survey conducted in October 2023 by SIA “Getliņi EKO” and the research company “Norstat Latvia”.
“We want to draw residents' attention to reducing the volume of waste generated, especially during the year-end holidays. This is precisely why we are implementing an educational campaign this year, providing practical tips on how everyone can reduce waste through simple actions and make thoughtful choices during the holidays,” explains Imants Stirāns, Chairman of the Board of “Getliņi EKO”.
The company provided information on the goals and progress of the samaziniatkritumus.lv campaign at the launch event, which also featured a discussion with media and interested parties about public habits and motivation. Representatives from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM), Riga City Council (RD), and Maija Krastiņa, a board member of the “Zero Waste Latvija” association, also participated in the discussion.
VARAM Parliamentary Secretary Ilze Dambīte-Damberga pointed out: “The state must be able to provide a roadmap for residents on how to change their habits to significantly reduce the amount of waste generated in daily life. Information campaigns are a powerful tool that encourages people to listen and learn; we can expect particularly significant results by addressing children and young people, who are strong motivators for changing habits within families.”
Viesturs Zeps, Chairman of the RD Environment and Housing Committee, emphasised: “Waste generation begins with each resident’s individual choices regarding the purchase and consumption of certain goods. To reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, we will continue to create information campaigns on daily waste reduction and sorting together with property managers and waste management companies. Additionally, to facilitate the return of municipal waste to the economy, a network of textile collection containers is being developed in Riga, while in 2024 we intend to build several separate collection sites where plastic, wood, paper, glass, metal, and hazardous waste can be handed over free of charge. We have also started work on implementing circular economy practices in Riga.”
The majority of residents (63%) who do not currently pay attention to reducing waste volume see no motivation for it, do not want to change their habits, or consider it burdensome. One-third (35%) of residents who do not think about waste reduction lack practical tips.
About the study: the public opinion survey was conducted in October of this year, involving 710 Latvian residents aged 18 to 74.
About the campaign: In the near future, Latvia will have to find ways to reduce the amount of waste deposited in landfills, as according to the goals set by the European Union to promote a circular economy, the amount of waste landfilled must be reduced to 10% by 2035. This means that at a state level, ways must be found to reduce this volume, and every Latvian resident can get involved. For this reason, “Getliņi EKO” is implementing a public education campaign on waste reduction called “Atkritumi Aug!” with the goal of educating, inspiring action, and inviting people to act in order to reduce the volume of waste generated daily.
The campaign began on 14 November with an expert discussion at the “Domina Shopping” centre, where throughout the campaign, visitors' attention will be drawn by the “Waste Man” – a large-format installation that encourages people to take note of the large volume of waste. During the campaign, there are plans to use practical tips, educational discussions, and workshops to inspire everyone to change their habits, thereby reducing the amount of waste they produce personally.
About the company: SIA “Getliņi EKO” is a company jointly established by the Riga city and Ropaži municipality governments, which operates the largest municipal solid waste landfill in the Baltic states – “Getliņi”. The landfill is one of the most modern in Europe; it is currently being built and developed as a modern and safe waste processing centre.