Waste Less, Create More: Circular Solutions for Restaurants

Seminar Presenting the Results of the Ce4Re Project on Circular Solutions for the Restaurant sector.

Date: April 9, 2026
Venue: Park Inn by Radisson Central Tallinn (Narva Road 7c, 10117 Tallinn)
Organised by: Vidzeme Planning Region (Latvia)
In cooperation with: Estonian Hotel and Restaurant Association

Moderator: Külli Kraner (CEO, Estonian Hotel and Restaurant Association)

Objective of the event

To introduce the main results of the Ce4Re project and showcase practical tools that support
the restaurant sector in transitioning to circular economy principles – reducing waste,
optimising menus, and encouraging sustainable practices. The event will also provide space for
discussion and exchange of experience between restaurants and industry organisations in
Estonia.

Key takeaways:

• practical demonstration of Ce4Re digital tools: Waste Reduction Tool, Circular Menu
  Tool, and the EkoGo App;
• key results and feedback from pilot restaurants in Latvia, Finland, and Sweden;
• opportunities for Estonian restaurants to engage in circular economy initiatives.

The Ce4Re project (Development of joint circular solutions in the CB restaurant sector,) is implemented within the Interreg Central Baltic 2021–2027 Programme. It aims to promote resource-efficient and waste-reducing practices in restaurants through three practical tools developed with WasteLocker (Estonia).
Partners:

• Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (Finland, Lead Partner);
• Pyhäjärvi Institute (Finland);
• EkoMatCentrum (Sweden);
• Vidzeme Planning Region (Latvia).

Agenda
09:30 – 10:00 Registration and coffee
10:00 – 10:05 Welcome words (Külli Kraner (CEO, Estonian Hotel and Restaurant Association)
10:05 – 10:15 Introduction to the Ce4Re project: promoting circular economy in the restaurant sector (Speaker: Dr. Altti Näsi, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (Finland, Lead Partner)). Overview of project goals, partnership, and main outcomes.
10:15 – 10:30 Circular Economy in the Food Service Sector: Latest Policy Developments (Speaker: Kristel Kibin, Head of Waste Management, Circular Economy Department, Ministry of Climate (Estonia))
10:30 – 10:50 Digital Waste Reduction Tool – demonstration and pilot restaurant results (Speaker: Liene Klišāne, Vidzeme Planning Region). Presentation of the tool developed by WasteLocker (Estonia), results from pilot testing in Latvia, Finland, and Sweden.
10:55 – 11:15 Circular Solutions in Practice: Sustainability at Zero Waste Bakery Re:Maize (Speaker: Svetlana Riškova, Latvian Chefs’ Club)
11:20 – 11:40 Circular Menu Tool – building sustainable menus with reduced waste (Speaker: Ellinoora Havaste, Pekka Maijala, Pyhäjärvi Institute (Finland)). How the menu planning tool supports resource-efficient decisions and local food use; first feedback from testing restaurants.
11:45 – 12:05 EkoGo marketing app – promoting circular restaurants and consumer awareness (Speaker: Ted Wendt, EkoMatCentrum (Sweden)). Introduction of the app’s concept, functionality, and potential for restaurant visibility in the market.
12:05 – 12:20 Coffee break
12:20 – 12:50 Panel discussion – how can Estonian restaurants benefit from circular solutions? (Moderator: Külli Kraner, Estonian Hotel and Restaurant Association. Panellists: Dr. Altti Näsi, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (Finland); Ted Wendt, EkoMatCentrum (Sweden); Kristel Kibin, Head of Waste Management, Circular Economy Department, Ministry of Climate (Estonia); Svetlana Riškova, President of the Bocuse d’Or Latvia Academy, Board Member of the Latvian Chefs’ Club). Exchange of views between Estonian restaurant representatives and project partners.
12:55 – 13:40 Networking lunch