Circular economy and resource wisdom
Earth has a limited amount of natural resources. The recycling and reuse of materials must be enhanced so that there are enough natural resources for future generations as well. Different actors in society are needed for change.
The City of Lappeenranta is committed to being a pioneering municipality in the circular economy. The city coordinates the regional circular economy work of South Karelia as part of the national Circwaste project.
Lappeenranta is a pioneer city in resource wisdom. Lappeenranta has drawn up a roadmap for resource wisdom in 2015 and is a member of the FISU network (Finnish Sustainable Communities). The purpose is to find and develop ways to make Lappeenranta waste-free and carbon-neutral by 2050.
Circular economy means...
Material efficiency
Extending the lifecycles of products
Increasing recycling
Consuming services instead of products
Borrowing, sharing and fixing
In order to get results, changes are needed in...
Ways of thinking
Ways of consuming
Value chains
Product designs
Business models
...challenge yourself and join!
Circular economy roadmaps
A circular economy roadmap has been prepared in Lappeenranta, which sets goals and measures to promote the circular economy in our region. The measures of the road map can be seen in the Sustainability Watch service.
The 2018 Southern Karelia Circular Economy Roadmap has been prepared for South Karelia, which sets goals and objectives for promoting the circular economy in our region. The road map has been updated in 2021.
Residents' circular economy
Waste sorting and recycling are the central basis of the circular economy. Waste recycling enables materials to be reused – our recycled waste is the raw material for new goods.
Borrowing, renting and other sharing of goods also increases material efficiency - not everyone needs to own goods themselves, especially goods that are needed only rarely. Lending to neighbors or relatives or getting used goods from a flea market or some recycling group is a circular economy. Have an item or garment that has been damaged repaired or repaired by a professional.
Choose climate action
- Reduce the amount of waste
- Recycle correctly (bio-waste, plastic packaging, glass packaging, metal, cardboard, paper and hazardous waste)
- Consider the necessity of the item
- Borrow, rent, use together
- Use recyclable materials
- Avoid disposable items
- Buy a service gift card instead of a gift of goods
- Favor eco-labels
Waste management in South Carelia - Etelä-Karjalan Jätehuolto Oy
Circular economy solutions for companies
The circular economy aims for a new kind of economic model, where used material is recycled and reused either as a similar product or a new product is made from it. In the circular economy, consumption is based on using services instead of ownership: sharing, renting, recycling and repairing.
The circular economy also creates new ways of earning for entrepreneurs – only imagination is the limit.
Could another company's surplus or side-stream material be your company's raw material? Surplus resources to be shared can also be, for example, know-how, a service or solution that someone else could use, surplus energy (electricity or heat), storage space, land, transport capacity or waste water.
Sitra has listed examples of interesting Finnish circular economy companies, which you can familiarize yourself with on Sitra's website.
Sitra: Most interesting companies in the circular economy in Finland
