On June 17–18, 2024, partners of the international project “Circular Economy at Riga and Tartu Waste Management Facilities” (CERITA) carried out a study visit to waste management sites in the Tartu region, Estonia. The visit provided valuable insights into local waste processing systems and renewable energy solutions, which will directly contribute to the project’s ongoing research and strategic planning.
As the largest landfill in the Baltic States, Getliņi plays a central role in the CERITA project by leading efforts to explore renewable energy opportunities and test innovative technologies at facilities in both Riga and Tartu.
The CERITA project focuses on analyzing the composition of waste, energy consumption, and the renewable energy generation potential of selected waste management sites. This includes developing a business model analysis, assessing the economic value of waste-derived products, and drafting an investment plan for promising solutions. A core innovation of the project is the potential integration of hydrogen and its derivatives into the waste-to-energy value chain, aiming to improve both the environmental impact and quality of end products generated through waste processing.
Coordinated by the Latvian Hydrogen Association, the project brings together a diverse consortium of partners from the Baltic States and the Netherlands. These include Hydrogen Architects BV, SIA Getliņi EKO, Ekotikslai UAB, Latvian Hydrogen Association, ERNST & YOUNG BALTIC, and the City of Tartu.
Beyond its technical goals, CERITA is also dedicated to raising public awareness, improving education on circular economy principles, and strengthening cross-border cooperation among stakeholders in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and beyond. These efforts are essential for aligning regional waste management practices with Europe’s green transition objectives.
The CERITA project is 100% funded by the European Innovation Council and the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EISMEA). It will be implemented over a 12-month period in 2024 with a total budget of EUR 1.5 million. Through research, collaboration, and investment planning, CERITA actively supports the European Union’s goals in sustainability, energy security, and competitiveness.