ECO DAYS IN ĶEKAVA MUNICIPALITY
About this good practice
The purpose of the Eco Days is to reduce the amount of illegal waste in the environment, support citizens to clean up their properties and increase recycling of the waste.
The Eco Days are organized twice a year - 2 days in spring and 2 days in autumn when households can dispose non-standard waste free of charge. The categories of waste which can be disposed during these days have changed over the years, but typically they include electrical household appliances, textiles, bulky household waste (pieces of furniture, carpets, chandeliers, prams etc), glass packaging, used car tyres.
The households should inform the waste collecting company if they plan to dispose any of the eligible waste and put the items on the designated day next to their regular waste containers. The eligible waste is collected, transported and disposed free of charge.
When dates of Eco Days are announced, citizens are also reminded of the categories which are not eligible for this campaign, such as toxic waste, construction waste, pipes, sanitary engineering items tec.
The Eco Days are organized by the waste management company CleanR in cooperation with the company “Zaļā josta” (Green Belt) and the local government of Ķekava Municipality.
Clean R and “Zaļā josta” ensure not only collection of the waste but also its recycling.
Main beneficiaries - households.
Resources needed
Transportation and disposal of collected waste – financed by Ķekava Municipality local government (ca 12 000 – 20 000 EUR/each Eco Days event) .
The municipality also provides publicity of the events through its webpage, social media accounts, newsletter.
Evidence of success
• Steady public support and willingness of citizens to participate every year
• Collected volumes of waste per each event can be characterized by collected volumes e.g. during Eco Days Autumns 2024 - Electric appliances 28,34 t, bulky waste 77,78 t, textile 2,98 t, glass packaging 13,50 t, car tyres 10,38 t
Potential for learning or transfer
Eco Days are organized also in other municipalities of Latvia. It suggests that such campaigns might be of interest also for other countries and regions as well to reduce the amount of illegal waste in the environment, and increase recycling of the waste.
However, habits of customers and different waste management systems might influence the applicability of this practice in other countries.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.