Comparative Study of Waste Management and Sampling Practices in Latvia and Estonia

The study focuses on waste management and sampling practices carried out in two large Baltic cities: Riga (Latvia) and Tartu (Estonia). Even though waste collection schemes are not at the same centralisation level in the two municipalities, certain similarities can be observed in waste collection, management and sampling processes. Governed by provisions of Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste, general national waste treatment legislation, and the national waste management plans, waste management practices in Latvia and Estonia are moving towards minimalisation of waste landfilling and maximalisation of waste inclusion into various recycling practices (use in waste biodegradation cells, bioreactors, different waste recycling facilities, in developing modern waste management supporting infrastructure, etc.). Therefore, waste management in two countries can be partly characterised as a vital element of emerging circular economy activities aimed at minimising landfill deposition of waste, hence, a more effective and permanent approach to sustainable waste management problems, on the one hand, and maximising the diversified use of waste in different branches of economy, hence, larger economic and social benefits.