2025 m. On 3-5 June, representatives of Lithuanian Regional Waste Management Centres (RWMCs) took part in an experience exchange visit to Estonia. The aim of the trip was to learn about waste management technologies, organisation of operations and circular economy solutions that could be applied in Lithuanian regions.

The visit was organised by the Lithuanian Regional Waste Management Centres Association (LRWMA) in cooperation with the Estonian Recycling Competence Centre. According to Laurynas Virbickas, Vice President of LRATCA, who coordinated the visit, the growing cooperation between the Baltic waste management community opens up opportunities to share experiences and build closer professional ties.

During the visit, the Lithuanian delegation visited the Paikre Waste Management Centre (Paikre OÜ), the Enefit Green waste incineration plant (Maardu), the EKT EcoBio biomethane production and packaging sorting plant, which demonstrates the comprehensive recycling of organic waste into biomethane and the treatment of packaging streams. The delegation had a meeting with representatives of the Tallinn Strategic Management Office. The meeting covered Tallinn’s waste management policy, circular economy initiatives and the activities of the municipally-run sorting centres. This was followed by a visit to Tallinn’s Lilleküla sorting centre, which highlighted the accessibility of services for residents and the convenient infrastructure.

At the end of the visit, RATC representatives visited the Green Gravels company in Järvakandi, where an innovative technology for recycling waste glass into foam glass gravel was demonstrated. The production process involves shredding waste glass, preparing a mixture with special additives and heating it in an oven to produce a porous, lightweight material. The material is lightweight, pressure-resistant, thermally insulating and environmentally friendly, making it suitable for use in construction and infrastructure projects.

Such exchange trips provide valuable insights into innovative waste management solutions and inspire new initiatives in the field of environmental sustainability. LRATCA is looking forward to welcoming Estonian colleagues to Lithuania at the end of the summer.