The Balticfloc LIFE project team has visited two Latvian landfills to learn about their operations and future plans for waste disposal, sorting, and recycling. EU regulations stipulate that only 10% of all municipal waste may be landfilled in Latvia by 2035. Currently, on average 40% of all municipal waste is landfilled in Latvia.
We visited the nearest regional landfill “Daibe” (SIA ZAAO) and the largest Latvian landfill “Ģetliņi” (SIA Getliņi EKO).
SIA ZAAO is a company of Vidzeme municipalities (Balvi, Cēsis, Valmiera, Valka, Smiltene, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, and Limbaži) that manages Daibe regional landfill in Northern Vidzeme and is one of the largest waste management companies in Vidzeme. Its activities include waste collection, sorting, storage, treatment, handling, transport, and disposal. In addition, the company undertakes public education and information activities. SIA ZAAO provides waste sorting and delivery to Daibe landfill, where it is transferred to waste sorting lines, sorted, separated by type, compacted, and baled for transport to recycling facilities in Latvia and abroad.
The sorting line separates:
- cardboard and waste paper,
- metals,
- PET,
- Tetra Pak,
- glass,
- plastics, plastic packaging, and films,
- other recyclable materials.
SIA Getliņi EKO is a company jointly established by the City of Riga and the Municipality of Ropaži, which manages Getliņi landfill, the largest municipal solid waste landfill in the Baltic States. It is one of the most modern landfills in Europe and is currently being designed and developed as a modern and safe waste recycling centre. The main objective of SIA Getliņi EKO is to ensure modern, safe, and efficient management and disposal of municipal solid waste as well as electricity generation. Waste from Riga and the surrounding regions is transported to Getliņi landfill. The company does not provide waste sorting, which is the responsibility of waste management companies in Riga and the surrounding regions. Nevertheless, a modern waste sorting plant has been built on the company territory, which is managed by SIA Vides resursu centrs. It sorts municipal solid waste brought to the landfill by legal entities before it is treated or recycled.
The plant sorts:
- biodegradable waste,
- PET,
- tin cans,
- waste containing ferrous and non-ferrous metals,
- light plastics,
- textiles,
- cardboard and waste paper.
The visits of the Balticfloc LIFE team to Latvian landfills were successful and productive. Moreover, we have established a friendly and cooperative relationship with SIA ZAAO.
