The plastic recycling plant in Kairiiai, operated by Virginijus ir Ko UAB, is an exceptional facility of the circular economy, which is important for the European Union (EU) in Lithuania, in the Šiauliai region.
The company, which started recycling polypropylene bags at the end of last year, has become the first company in Lithuania to do so.
The unique technology used for recycling allows for efficient handling of not only the bulk bags collected from farmers.
Representatives of the Kairiiai municipality who visited the plant were able to see how these processes look like up close and personal.
An economy that respects the environment
“Lithuania, like other EU countries, has targets for recycling plastic waste.
We can recycle an average of 660 tonnes of plastic waste per month, providing manufacturers with a product that is in demand on the market – polypropylene (PP) pellets.
We are helping Lithuania to meet its ambitious sustainability targets, its commitments under the European Green Deal and contributing to the development of an environmentally friendly economy.
A meaningful direction of activity is also the basis of our openness to the community,” says Virginijus Skublickas, CEO of Virginijus ir Ko UAB.
V. Skublicks said that the excursion is an excellent opportunity for local elders to have an open dialogue with the community, which not only helps to establish closer ties with local residents, but also to find out about their expectations and concerns.
Such communication promotes mutual understanding and trust.
It is also important to remember that such excursions help to keep the focus on key sustainability objectives such as environmental protection, social justice and economic prosperity.
By tackling current issues together and exploring new opportunities, lasting results can be achieved that will undoubtedly contribute to the sustainable and harmonious development of the community.
Plastic waste is recycled at the Kairi plant in a process line consisting of a shredding and washing plant for plastic waste, a process water treatment system and a granulation plant with odour extraction.
This is a technology from equipment manufacturers with a long track record, and its new equipment is designed for the specific needs of the Kairi plant to produce ultra-high quality pellets.
The company’s waste comes from its waste management sites in Klaipėda, Telšiai and Šiauliai, which receive waste mainly from waste holders in north-western Lithuania.
The plant’s design capacity allows it to recycle up to 8 000 tonnes of plastic waste per year.
The recycled products are sold both in Lithuania and abroad – PP pellets are used to produce a wide range of new plastic products such as packaging, various parts, building materials, etc.
The products are used for the production of new plastics, plastics, plastics, plastic materials, etc.
Showing how waste becomes plastic pellets
Representatives of the local community were able to see how the plant’s recycling facilities work and how the whole technological cycle of waste becoming new products works.
The polypropylene bags are separated from the polypropylene bags to remove unsuitable liners and other impurities, the raw material is then shredded to the appropriate size fraction and processed through 4 washing cycles, and the ecologically innovative pelletizing equipment with 2 filtration systems is operational.
The participants were also interested in the processes of sorting waste and separating recyclable materials in preparation for recycling, and in particular in environmental issues.
According to the company, all processes at the plant are carried out in compliance with the relevant requirements.
In particular, ISO 9001 (standard for quality management systems) and ISO 14001 (standard for environmental management systems).
Recycled plastic certification (RecyClass) procedures have also been launched at the plant.
ISO 14001 ensures better environmental management, reducing energy consumption and waste, minimising the likelihood of incidents etc.
According to Mr Skublicko, the technologies used in the plant are automated, providing real-time information on the processes taking place – these are also environmental safeguards.
In the pursuit of the Green Deal and environmental goals, various requirements – fire, storage, warehousing, recycling and others – are only getting stricter, often becoming real challenges for businesses.
Monitoring compliance with these requirements is ongoing and will therefore become a challenge between 2023 and 2024.
In the course of the inspections carried out by the State Environmental Protection and Fire Service, no material breaches were found.
“The tour made a positive impression – the modern technology and efficient plastics recycling process show the plant’s ability to contribute to sustainability.
It is good to see that advanced and environmentally friendly recycling technologies are used here”, said Artūras Šulčius, Elder of Kairiiai Elderly Municipality, after the excursion.
According to the tour participants, the area was not littered with mountains of rubbish, as expected, with sorted and compacted waste neatly stacked in the company’s area and a wall to muffle the sound coming from the company.
“Waste is sorted in a well-thought-out sequence, using the right equipment.
I was impressed by the recycling line for secondary waste: computer-controlled, modern equipment and tidy workstations.
Seeing the plant up close increased confidence in its performance.
It is clear that the company has well thought-out processes for sorting and recycling waste.
A lot of investment has been made not only in the production itself, but also in environmental protection,” said Lauras Janilaitis, an elder of Bertužiai, sharing his impressions.
Recycling of large bags: important for everyone
“Environmental protection is one of the top priorities for governments, business and society alike, and requires social responsibility and awareness from everyone.
Unfortunately, it is often forgotten that waste management is a shared responsibility for all.
It should not only be a matter of concern for waste managers, but also for those whose activities or lifestyles give rise to the waste”, says the CEO of Virginijus ir Ko.
V. “Each of us should visit a company like this, because only then do you understand why waste sorting is necessary, you think about where to put the contaminated packaging, where it will go next, who will have to pick it up and feel it.
I think that we, as citizens, still lack information about proper waste sorting.”
During and after the tour, the Elders asked the company representatives questions on topics of interest to the community or to them personally.
According to Mr Skublicko, the company cooperates with the local community in a good way when waste management issues arise, maintains a friendly relationship with the Elder, and actively contributes to the life of the community by supporting cultural events organised by the company.
“We are all connected in many ways, although the connections are not always obvious.
Even the fact that we recycle farmers’ waste doesn’t mean that it is not connected to the people in the Kairiņi community, who probably consume the farmers’ food that they buy from the shops.
So recycling plastic bags is also an activity that is important for everyone.
It would be good to keep this in mind, both in terms of waste management and sustainable consumption for the sake of future generations,” says Skublickas.
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