Latvia is becoming more circular thanks to its work on the 'Waste To Resources Latvia' project
The “Waste To Resources Latvia - boosting regional sustainability and circularity” project is funded by the EU LIFE programme and the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia. It provides a framework for coordinating, testing and scaling up circular economy solutions at national level, involving multiple partners and thematic implementation areas.
The main purpose of the project is to implement Latvia's 2021–2028 National Waste Management Plan. This plan aims to reduce waste generation and landfilling by introducing measures to support material and goods circularity, and ultimately to reduce the environmental and carbon footprint of the economy.
The project is working towards a raft of objectives, such as improving the separated waste collection system, setting up a system for the re-use and recycling of building materials, improving the market for secondary raw materials, reusable and recycled goods, promoting synergies among industrial production, eco-innovation and waste prevention, assisting with policy shaping and expanding cooperation among stakeholders.
The result to date is an integrated national approach to implementing waste-to-resources and circular economy principles. It combines national policy coordination, stakeholder engagement, data-informed decision making and practical implementation measures within a unified governance framework.
This integrated governance and implementation model is transferable to other EU Member States and can be adapted to different national and local contexts to support the transition towards a circular economy.
- The integrated approach has strengthened national coordination on waste-to-resources and circular economy implementation in Latvia and delivered policy, digital and practical results.
- Key outcomes include the launch of national digital platforms for reuse and industrial symbiosis, improved data availability and decision-support tools for the waste management sector, and enhanced quality assurance of secondary materials through an accredited polymer testing laboratory.
- The project has also tested innovative solutions for recovering value from non-recyclable waste, developed a greenhouse gas emission calculation tool for the waste sector, and supported municipalities through circular economy roadmaps and targeted capacity-building activities.