Ecology, Energy, Latvia, Markets and Companies

"Building one more incineration plant for burning waste will have to be considered. First of all, Europe wants no new landfills, and the existing ones may not be expanded. Second, by 2030 it will be allowed to only dump 7 percent of waste generated here, in Riga and 21 regions, in landfill sites. Without incineration, these figures will be impossible to achieve. The directive can only be implemented if all that can be sorted, is sorted, while all what can be burned, is burned and ash is put into landfills," said Stirans.

The EU directive's requirements are not disproportionate, and Latvia is capable of observing the requirements. Waste disposal makes up just a little portion of residents' budgets. If the requirements on landfills are stepped up, waste management rates will also increase, but the increase will be commensurate, said Stirans.

At the moment, household waste disposal at the Getlini landfill costs EUR 38 per ton, while Tallinn charges EUR 63 per ton and Vilnius EUR 73 per ton. "Lithuanians pay almost twice as much for waste disposal as compared to Rigans," stressed Stirans.

Stirans also said that the greatest challenge in waste management business in Latvia this year would be a new waste collection and management system in Riga. Competition between waste management companies in Riga will be very tough, he added.

According to EU requirements, the amount of biodegradable waste that EU member states landfill will have to be reduced to 35 percent of the 1995 level by 2020.

Getlini EKO was founded in 1997, the company's share capital is EUR 5,995,269. The company belongs to Stopini Region Council (2.08 percent) and Riga City Council (97.92 percent). The company posted EUR 14.197 million in turnover and EUR 594,301 in profit in 2016.