"Green Pack" – Launch of an initiative in Latvia to promote packaging recycling



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More than half of Latvian residents choose products or goods whose packaging can be recycled when they shop, according to a survey conducted by the Latvijas green environment manager. To further meet the demands of the population for such products and to encourage entrepreneurs to think green, Green Point has introduced a new product recognition panel, the Green Pack. In the future, such a label will be awarded to companies whose product packaging is recyclable.

Latvian residents produce more than 800,000 tonnes of household waste each year. Different films, bags, bottles and other types of packaging account for nearly one third of all household waste. However, in Latvia only a part of this waste is recycled.

In order to promote recycling and to reinforce this idea in national enterprises and in society in general, Latvia's Green Dot has created an initiative and a service called "Green Pack". If the packaging is recyclable, the company will be allowed to add a special brand to the product so that buyers know that it is environmentally friendly.

"In the future, I see that the package will be divided into two parts: recyclable, the collection and recycling costs of these packages will be cheaper, and not processed, then, forgive, pay the entire tax on natural resources and then the product will immediately return to the choice of the population because, as we saw in this survey, people want to be ecological, then ecological, "said Kaspars Zakulis, director of Green Point in Latvia.

In cooperation with researchers from the Latvian Agricultural University, young food technologists and entrepreneurs participating in the initiative, a first test of the packaging will be carried out, followed by the opinion of researchers. Only the mark on the product can be obtained. The "Food Union" milk processor has received the first signs of one of its products.

"Such a project is possible because we are developing our center of excellence in milk processing in Latvia. We invest a lot in equipment and our staff. And for us to continue to do so, sustainable packaging, sustainable production and thinking are an integral part of it, "said Normunds Staņēvičs, head of the Union of Food in Europe.

At the moment, Latvia needs to think more about recycling, because the EU is also responsible for it. At present, less than a quarter of municipal waste is recycled. But in 2035, even 90% of the waste will have to be recycled.

"In the second half of this year, very intensive work on a new and broad vision of waste management will be launched. A waste management plan for the next period will be developed, where these challenges will have to be worked very hard, "said MEPRD Parliamentary Secretary Arthur Tom Plush.

The goal will be easier to achieve if all parties are involved – the entrepreneurs will produce recyclable packaging, but the people will come out. Currently, more than half of the Latvian population sorts waste, which is by far the highest.

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