Marking World Environment Day in Latvia today, 6 June, the State Environmental Service (VVD) celebrated the winners of the "Green Excellence 2023" award at a formal ceremony. The companies recognised for environmental excellence are those actively working to reduce the impact of their operations on the environment.

This year marks the eighth time the award has been presented. Since 2015, more than 100 companies and partners have been awarded for outstanding achievements in environmental protection, and this year they were joined by eight further laureates who stood out for their ability to uphold environmental requirements to the highest standard, their proactive and decisive measures to reduce the environmental impact of their operations, and their significant contribution to public education and raising environmental awareness.

Winners of the "Green Excellence 2023" annual environmental protection award:

• A/s “PET BALTIJA” – in the category “Green Excellence in Waste Management” for their contribution to implementing a circular economy;

The company where the process of transforming plastic bottles into new products begins. With modern and environmentally friendly equipment, PET BALTIJA is one of the largest PET bottle recycling companies in Northern Europe, including the Latvian deposit packaging, and plays an important role in the cycle where waste is transformed into resources while strictly adhering to environmental requirements. The company also processes production waste into by-products or passes it on to other waste recyclers, aiming to minimise the amount of waste sent to landfill as much as possible.

• SIA “CEWOOD” – in the category “Green Excellence in Manufacturing” for their contribution to implementing a circular economy;

The only manufacturer of wood wool panels in the Baltics – trees grown in Latvia and harvested in an environmentally friendly way are turned into valuable products, while offcuts produced during the panel manufacturing process are reused in production by being shredded and added to raw materials in appropriate proportions. The company is a model of continuous improvement in order to reduce its environmental impact and put the circular economy into practice.

• SIA “Laflora” – in the category “Green Excellence Award in Extractive Industry and Quarrying” for a sustainable approach to the reclamation of used land;

One of the largest peat extraction and processing companies in Latvia, which pays great attention to sustainability issues. The company received the Green Excellence award not only for its ability to utilise natural resources but for introducing various innovative ways of reclaiming worked-out deposits, such as afforestation, the cultivation of lingonberries, cranberries and highbush blueberries, as well as rhododendrons, heather and wild rosemary. Currently, reclamation has been carried out on 200 hectares of used land. Laflora plans to achieve climate neutrality as early as 2030 by carrying out a series of ambitious projects, including the construction of wind and solar parks in the peat bog area.

• SIA “Aizkraukles ūdens” – in the category “Green Excellence in Water Management” for introducing innovative technologies in wastewater system monitoring;

The company ensures a high-quality wastewater treatment process. To prevent untreated wastewater from entering the environment, video inspection of pipelines has been introduced to monitor sewage networks, which identifies damage and allows for the timely planning of the reconstruction of damaged pipeline sections. Proper sludge management has been established. Excess sludge is dewatered and stored in sludge beds. After one year of storage, the sludge is analysed, quality certificates are prepared, and it is handed over for the improvement of agricultural land. The company is open to cooperation with environmental inspectors.

• SIA “Ulbroka” – in the category “Green Excellence in Agriculture, Forestry and Woodworking (among category A and B polluting activity operators)” for ensuring effective air quality in the pig farming sector;

Ulbroka, located in a densely populated area, is home to one of the largest pig farming complexes in the country, with over 13,000 pigs in the facility. Thanks to a three-stage air purification system, the company ensures that no adverse odour impacts or discomfort are caused to local residents. The company consistently ensures a high level of compliance with environmental protection requirements and sets high standards of professional practice in its field.

• SIA “Adams farm” – in the category “Green Excellence in Agriculture, Forestry and Woodworking (among category C polluting activity operators)” for implementing organic farming principles in the livestock sector to the highest standard while complying with environmental protection requirements;

The company implements a circular economy in agriculture by incorporating the manure produced into the soil as fertiliser, thus reducing or completely eliminating the use of mineral fertilisers. Biological water treatment plants have been installed on the premises for rainwater and domestic wastewater, which purifies the incoming wastewater. The company scrupulously adheres to environmental protection requirements.

• Zemnieku saimniecība “Vaicuļevas” – an incentive award in the category “Green Excellence in Agriculture, Forestry and Woodworking” for exemplary agricultural activity and active cooperation with the State Environmental Service.

The company regularly carries out various modernisation measures aimed at improving environmental quality; it is recognised as a model for farmers in the Latgale region and stands out for its carefully maintained and tidy production site, while ensuring appropriate storage of waste and chemical substances.

• SIA “Rīgas meži” – in the category “Green Excellence Award for Cooperation” for the successful implementation of the social campaign #TīriRīgasMeži #VidesSOS;

Rīgas meži carries out educational and informative activities aimed at public engagement, passionately drawing public attention to the current issue of environmental and forest littering. Last year, in cooperation with the VVD, they implemented a major campaign #TīriRīgasMeži #VidesSOS. During the campaign, residents were encouraged not only to avoid polluting the forest and to actively condemn such actions, but also to report waste found in the forest using the VidesSOS app.

• SIA “All Media Latvia” – in the category “Green Excellence Award for Cooperation” for actively educating the public on topical environmental protection issues;

The TV3 channel's programmes – TV3 ziņas, Bez Tabu and Degpunktā – regularly and actively produce news segments on current environmental protection developments and issues, teaching the public to recognise environmental violations and to act actively if they are spotted. News about environmental violations simultaneously educates and builds public understanding of the need for a tidy environment and a considerate attitude towards nature.

World Environment Day has been celebrated annually on 5 June since 1972. The UN established this tradition to raise awareness of environmental issues on a global scale. Meanwhile, the VVD has established the “Green Excellence” annual environmental protection award since 2015, honouring companies committed to environmental protection, as well as partners who care about the quality and sustainability of Latvia's environment.

Videos about the 2023 Green Excellence award winners and the awards received can be seen on the State Environmental Service YouTube channel.