On December 4, a meeting was held at the Getliņi EKO premises, bringing together representatives from various national and municipal institutions to discuss the progress and next steps of the CERITA project, Circular Economy at Riga and Tartu Waste Management Facilities. The meeting focused on advancing efficient waste management practices and integrating innovative technologies, such as hydrogen and biomethane, to enhance energy recovery and recycling systems.
Participants reviewed the current conditions and discussed future energy generation solutions. The project’s evaluation to date has indicated that biomethane may currently be more feasible to integrate into existing energy networks. However, several challenges remain, particularly with regard to declining volumes of unsorted household waste at the landfill. This trend, alongside the potential construction of new waste-to-energy plants in the region, could substantially influence the future of waste flows and resource recovery.
In response, participants agreed to continue technical research and solution development over the coming five months. The objective is to formulate proposals for potential legislative and strategic changes that would support the implementation of new waste-to-energy innovations within the CERITA framework.
The CERITA project continues to focus on analyzing the composition of waste, energy consumption patterns, and the renewable energy generation potential of municipal waste management sites in Riga and Tartu. This work includes the development of a business model analysis, the assessment of economic value derived from waste-based products, and the creation of an investment plan to support future implementation. A key innovation under consideration is the use of hydrogen and its derivatives to improve the quality and sustainability of end products generated through waste processing.
The project is coordinated by the Latvian Hydrogen Association and unites partners from the Baltic States and the Netherlands with the goal of transforming waste management through a circular economy approach. Partners include Hydrogen Architects BV, SIA Getliņi EKO, Ekotiksla UAB, Latvian Hydrogen Association, ERNST & YOUNG BALTIC, and the City of Tartu.
In addition to technical and infrastructural improvements, CERITA also aims to raise public awareness and provide education on circular economy principles and sustainable waste management. The project supports cross-border collaboration and has the potential to make a significant impact on regional waste systems and the adoption of hydrogen-based solutions in the circular economy.
The project is 100 percent funded by the European Innovation Council and the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EISMEA). It will be completed by mid-2025 with a total project budget of 1.5 million euros. CERITA’s implementation contributes directly to the European Union’s broader goals of sustainability, energy security, and global competitiveness.