He pointed out that differences in regulatory frameworks can create situations where stricter regulations are applied to Latvian producers than to entrepreneurs in neighboring countries, affecting the local market and competitiveness.
“This problem emphasizes the need for a more harmonized regulatory approach between the Baltic States and at the level of the European Union,” noted Lapsa.
At the same time, he mentioned that one of the most urgent challenges of the industry will also be the regulation of international Internet merchants. “A large part of these merchants do not comply with Latvian legislative requirements regarding packaging management,” emphasized Lapsa.
According to him, it is important to strengthen the supervision over internet trade to ensure that all traders comply with the laws and regulations and pay the tax on natural resources.
Lapsa considers the regulation of public procurement to be a practical and realistic regulation, introducing a requirement for suppliers to certify that natural resource tax (DRN) has been paid for all goods included in the procurement. “This would help ensure transparency and fair competition,” he explains.
The company’s goals this year are focused on sustainable development, public education and provision of wider management options for separately collected waste, said Lapsa.
Lapsa noted educating citizens about waste sorting and the importance of recycling as one of the main focuses of the company. This year, the company plans to expand public involvement by organizing new educational campaigns, said Lapsa.
Already last year, the company implemented several initiatives, such as a material collection competition for students for “Clean Latvia”, free delivery of excess electrical engineering, textiles, bulky waste and glass packaging in the “Clean House” campaign and other campaigns.
The turnover of “Green Belt” in 2023 was 14.699 million euros, which is 22.2% more than the year before, while the company’s profit increased by 70.2% – up to 2.206 million euros.
“Green Belt” was registered in 2002, and its share capital is one million euros. 55% of the company’s capital belongs to AS “CleanR grupa”, and 45% to AS “Bao”, whose owners are Jānis Vilgerts (80%) and Māris Kalniņš (20%).
In 2023, the “CleanR group” concern worked with a turnover of 102.023 million euros, which is 49.2% more than in 2022, but the profit of the concern increased by 93.7% – up to 10.243 million euros.
The company “CleanR group” was registered in 2014, and its current share capital was 346,000 euros. Until now, 92.07% of the capital of “CleanR Group” belonged to Guntar Kokoreviča’s SIA “TAK Capital”, while Harijs Krongorns owned 5.88% of the shares. The amount of staff shares owned by Jurim Gulbi remained unchanged – 2.06%. “CleanR group” bonds are included in the “First North” alternative market of the stock exchange “Nasdaq Riga”.