Bio-waste containers are disappearing in Riga — the reason is banal

Residents of Riga are actively urged to sort bio-waste and live "greener," but in practice, this system often turns out to be formal and inconvenient, writes LA.lv.

This is evidenced, in particular, by a message from user @SaulesNav on the platform "X":

"I ask the building manager where the bio-waste container has gone. The answer: in winter, garbage trucks rarely take it away because the contents freeze, do not spill out — they leave it as is and drive away. Therefore, there will be no container in winter. What does @RigasDome have to say about this?"

Commenters are generally dissatisfied with the system as such: "This is not the first and not even the second problem with bio-containers. Really, does no one realize that something is wrong with this?"

Another writes: "All this fuss with bio-containers in Riga is complete showmanship."

The Riga City Council responded to the publication as follows:

"Good afternoon! The building manager does not have the right to remove the container. To prevent waste from freezing in the container during severe frost, it is recommended to throw it away in paper or biodegradable bags. Waste collection companies also suggest lining the container with a large biodegradable bag. If you cannot get the manager to return the container, please send a message to the email: atkritumi@riga.lv, indicating the address and describing the situation."

In response to such an answer, the public had logical questions: "So, to throw away cucumber and potato peels, do we need to buy specially manufactured paper bags? Is this really the 'green course'?"

A reasonable question arises — is this system really ecological if its implementation is based on the production of new goods and additional burdens for residents?

What are biological wastes?

Biological wastes (or bio-wastes) are wastes that decompose naturally. For example: food scraps (fruits, vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds), garden waste (leaves, grass, plants), and other organic materials.

They are collected separately because recycling helps reduce the overall volume of waste. Such waste can be turned into compost or used for energy production. Sorting also helps reduce waste collection costs.

Mandatory "brown containers" in Riga

Containers for bio-waste are mandatory in all apartment buildings with more than 10 apartments. They are installed next to the household waste collection point.

Until now, sorting bio-waste has been voluntary, and it accounted for less than 5% of the total waste volume. Mandatory sorting should improve these figures and reduce costs.