CleanR, a municipal waste management company, has inaugurated a cutting-edge plastic recycling plant in Äśekava Municipality, marking a significant milestone in Latvia's recycling capabilities. The plant, led by Kaspars Fogelmanis, will address the challenge of recycling plastics that were previously unrecyclable in the country.

For the first time, the plant will enable the recycling of polystyrene, commonly found in yogurt containers, children's toys, dishes, and lighting fixtures. Additionally, the facility will process acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS) and ABS compositions, widely used in automotive parts, interior furnishings, electronic devices, textiles, and construction materials.

Guntars Levics, a member of CleanR Group's board, expresses enthusiasm about closing the recycling loop and granting plastic a second life. By ensuring a complete recycling cycle from waste collection to the production of granules and flakes, discarded resources can be transformed into everyday items like electronic device housings, packaging, interior furnishings, clothing, and fashion accessories.

The state-of-the-art CleanR plastic recycling plant boasts a monthly production capacity of up to 1,000 tonnes of granules and flakes, with nearly 100% of the output earmarked for export.

The establishment of this plant aligns with Latvia's commitment to the principles of a circular economy, exemplifying the country's dedication to the European Union's Green Deal. Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Māris SprindŞuks emphasizes the significance of such initiatives for achieving environmental goals and calls for the establishment of more similar facilities to reinforce the country's commitment to sustainability.

Juris Žilko, Chairman of Ĝekava Municipality, underscores the importance of the new plant for the community. Besides fulfilling environmental responsibilities, proper waste sorting also translates into lower utility bills for residents and generates additional revenue through waste recycling, which can be reinvested in infrastructure development.

Žilko expresses pride in hosting another sustainability-focused business and highlights Ĝekava Municipality's dedication to supporting business growth and development.

Setting it apart from similar facilities, the CleanR plastic recycling plant distinguishes itself with its advanced technology. With state-of-the-art production lines from industry-leading brands, the plant employs a meticulous process involving five rounds of material washing followed by extrusion, resulting in exceptionally clean recycled materials suitable for the production of high-quality goods.

The construction and equipment of the plant strictly adhere to the most stringent environmental and occupational safety standards, ensuring sustainable operations. The State Environmental Service, represented by Director General Elita Baklāne-Ansberga, conducted comprehensive inspections throughout the construction and operational phases to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and optimal waste recycling practices.

CleanR Group invested €5.4 million in constructing and equipping the plastic recycling plant, with €1.26 million provided as co-financing by the European Union's Cohesion Fund. The remaining 65% was contributed by the company. Construction began in 2022, and in January 2023, CleanR Group also inaugurated a separate waste sorting center to streamline the recycling process.

The CleanR plastic processing plant specializes in recycling LDPE, HDPE, and PP materials, encompassing food, agricultural, and construction packaging, as well as waste from road transport, including bags, fruit boxes, big bags, hygiene and household chemical packaging, drums, and vehicle plastic parts.