On 9 October 2026, a meeting with CleanR took place within the TransScale project to explore the development and scaling of a material exchange point. The presentation introduced a concept combining a physical exchange facility with digital tools to support material reuse and reduce waste.
The proposed model includes artificial intelligence to identify material types and assess their quality, condition and approximate quantity. Other planned features include Smart-ID authentication, automatic registration on the lietovelreiz.lv platform, and solar panels to support the facility’s energy supply. These features aim to simplify material donations, improve tracking and make reusable materials more accessible to other users.
The presentation also highlighted visitor feedback collected during Researchers’ Night 2026. Most participants in an informal vote indicated that they would use a material exchange point. While the vote was not a representative survey, it provided an initial indication of potential user interest.
Alongside the conceptual prototype, the presentation included preliminary estimates of investment and operating costs. These estimates provide a basis for assessing the resources needed to implement and maintain the proposed model.
The meeting connected TransScale’s research with practical questions surrounding material reuse. Developing the concept further requires consideration of technological feasibility, user participation and an economically viable operating model.
