Social media users complain about litter near fast-food outlet in Riga Old Town

Litter regularly accumulates near a Hesburger fast-food restaurant in Riga's Old Town, and the surrounding area often looks untidy in the mornings. A local resident complained about it on the social network X, and the post has triggered a wide discussion about cleanliness in a place that visitors to Riga also see.

What the post says

The woman's post states that the mess near the restaurant is a regular occurrence and that the area is not cleaned even by 8 a.m., as the rules require. She argues that such a scene costs Riga its image as a clean city, and notes that tourists heading to the market usually see it too. The post includes three photos taken on different mornings: 13 September at 8:18, 20 September at 8:05 and 1 November at 8:23. It was addressed to the Riga municipal police and to Hesburger.

Social media users ask whether the problem could be solved with a few larger waste bins. The source contains no comment from the company or the city.

Other residents' views

Other users joined the discussion. One commenter writes that the whole of Grēcinieku and Audēju streets look the same and that complaints have been sent to Riga City Council for years without change. Another says that when walking along Grēcinieku Street during the day recently, the pavements and street near some eateries seemed not to have been cleaned for months.

One commenter advises calling the Riga City Council information line, 1201, saying the municipal police do not handle such matters, while a call to the council produced an effective result. Another user recalls that 25 years ago, staff at fast-food restaurants started their shift by sweeping the area around the outlet.

Not everyone agrees that the mess affects tourists' impressions. One commenter says he does not see tourists, while another jokes that he is asleep at that hour and is happy with the city.