Lithuania Hosts Interregional Meeting on Waste Prevention

On June 12, 2024, the scenic town of Druskininkai welcomed the STOPWASTE Partners for an interregional meeting focused on "Reuse and Repair: Past, Present, and Future." Known for being the first municipality in Lithuania to implement comprehensive food waste and textile sorting, Druskininkai served as an inspiring backdrop for discussions on waste prevention.

Key Presentations and Summary:

1. Aurimas Uldukis (Director of JSC Alytus Region)

   • Presented insightful statistics on regional waste management successes and challenges, emphasizing the importance of early and efficient waste sorting initiatives.

2. Ruta Kukulskyte and Gintarė Petrauskaitė (Invest Lithuania)

   • Discussed the "Create Lithuania" project and the concept of "Mottainai," a Japanese word emphasizing respect and gratitude for resources. Highlighted global and local examples of repair cafés and reuse centers, stressing their role in waste prevention and community benefits.

3. Valdone Daugelaite - Suskevice (CupCup)

   • Addressed the prevention of single-use plastic through reusable beverage cup models at outdoor events, advocating for a shift from disposable to reusable solutions to significantly reduce waste.

4. Gabrielė Janilionytė (ID Vilnius)

   • Presented on community composting as a tool for waste prevention, outlining its environmental, economic, and social benefits. Emphasized the importance of urban gardens and making composting an engaging and accessible practice for communities.

5. Virginija Vingriene (Ministry of the Environment)

   • Discussed repair compensation and its role in driving circular economy breakthroughs and waste prevention policies. Highlighted the need for policy support to encourage repair and reuse.

Afternoon Sessions:

1. Milda Paukste (DenimDiares)

   • Examined the challenges of stained clothes in the secondary market and their life cycles, providing insights into textile waste management and the importance of extending the life of clothing.

2. Artūras Torkelis (Kaunas University of Technology)

   • Explored the prevention, reuse, and recycling of plastic packaging waste within the circular economy. Discussed the challenges of hazardous chemicals in recycling processes and the need for clean recycling practices.

3. Gintaras Denafas (Kaunas University of Technology)

   • Focused on waste treatment in the context of the circular economy, discussing European regulations on plastic packaging requirements and their implications for waste prevention.

The event underscored Lithuania's leading role in waste prevention, providing valuable insights and fostering international collaboration on reuse and repair initiatives.