Waste - State and impacts (Latvia)

Until 2006, the total waste quantity grew significantly because the economy also grew very quickly. In 2006, 2007, and 2008, quantities were more or less stable. At this point in time, during an economic crisis, quantities should be less in the coming years (2009, 2010). Changes in hazardous waste quantities mostly refer to classification changes of these waste types.

*Includes all non-hazardous wastes (industrial and municipal).

Source: Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre http://www.meteo.lv/public/28759.html

At present, the general treatment options for waste are waste disposal in landfill. Ten non-hazardous new waste polygons and disposal sites have been opened in recent years. This means that risks for the environment and human health have been reduced very significantly. The largest pollution threats for waste disposal come from old, shut down dumpsites, because many of them are not yet properly closed, although waste management plans foresee that this is done in the next few years. Waste recovery increases year by year.

Figure 3: Disposed on land and recovered wastes in Latvia (1 000 t)

Source:  Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre http://www.meteo.lv/public/28759.html

Hazardous wastes are mostly recovered or exported. At present, waste streams such as pesticides, lead batteries and PHB equipment are exported for treatment. In Latvia, used oils, as well as chemical and medical wastes are treated.

Data on packaging waste has been collected since 2003. Starting in 2006, reports for the European Commission on packaging waste have been prepared.

Table 1: Generated packaging waste (t)

Source: LV reports to EC according Decision 2005/270/EC 

In 2007, 323 123 tonnes of packaging waste were generated in Latvia, of which 132 289 tonnes or 41 % was recovered. Using material recycling, 127 923 tonnes (40 %) of packaging waste generated in Latvia in 2007 were recycled.