Latvian Honorary Families (Goda ģimenes) can apply for free disposal of asbestos-containing roofing until July 17, the Ministry of Climate and Energy reported.
Asbestos roofing is still considered one of the most dangerous building materials. When released into the air, its fibers can pose a serious health threat. Despite this, a significant amount of such roofing remains on the roofs of many buildings in Latvia, making its safe removal and disposal an ongoing challenge.
As part of the asbestos disposal support program, which will continue in 2026 with financial support from the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund, large families will be able to dispose of hazardous material for free.
According to the program's conditions, one applicant can participate from a single household. Between 0.2 tons (approximately 10 sheets) and 3 tons (about 150 sheets) of asbestos roofing can be submitted for disposal. The property where the material is located must belong to the applicant or be jointly owned, and the property must not be used for commercial activities.
The program fully covers the costs of packaging, loading, transportation, and burial of asbestos-containing roofing at the landfill. The total funding for this year amounts to 300,000 euros.
Minister of Climate and Energy Jānis Vitenbergs noted that the program has generated significant interest among the country's residents over the past two years.
According to the editorial team of bb.lv, the offer would indeed be useful if the minister found ways to fund the professional removal of this roofing, during which asbestos dust is most often generated. Otherwise, it is, of course, just a smokescreen from the minister: a Spanish shame for him and his PR team...
