Circular economy in 2023

We are developing Espoo’s districts, such as Kera and Kiviruukki, into unique and smart areas that promote carbon-neutral circular economy solutions. In 2023, a working group examined the possibility to reuse entire building elements in new construction in Kera, as the district is undergoing a transformation from an industrial area into a residential and working area. Construction in the area began at the end of 2023, and the first phase includes the construction of streets, parks, and pedestrian and cycling paths. Crushed concrete from the demolished Keran Hallit is used in the street structures instead of virgin crushed rock. The reuse of demolition concrete reduces waste and the need to extract new raw materials. In addition, the use of demolition concrete in the immediate vicinity of the demolition site reduces transport distances. 

Kiviruukki is being developed into an internationally interesting circular economy hub in which solutions are created for recycling plastic and textiles and for a sustainable food system. In 2023, a collaborative network was established for the development of the Kiviruukki circular economy hub. The network makes it easier for the city, companies, educational institutions, and research organisations to cooperate in the developing area.

In 2023, we introduced a new framework agreement for the procurement of work clothes. The procurement criteria provided additional points for the use of recycled materials. Bidders were also required to uphold corporate responsibility throughout their entire value chain. Currently, Espoo is working towards improving the sustainability of its infrastructure projects and reducing their emissions. Another aim is to increase the recycling rate of demolition materials and plastics generated by construction projects.

We want to set an example for all Espoo residents and ensure that waste is sorted and recycled properly on our properties. In 2023, we examined the waste sorting situation and recycling rates on city properties. The results showed that the quantity and percentage of sorted waste have gradually increased since 2020. A total of 3 793 914 kg of waste was collected from city properties in 2023. The costs of waste management were EUR 1 196 420. Mixed waste accounted for 51 per cent of the total waste volume, i.e. the recycling rate was 49 per cent. Our aim is to further increase waste sorting on city properties. We will pay particular attention to waste sorting in schools and, with the project launched in autumn 2023, we will provide sorting bins to all schools that are able to increase their waste sorting. In addition to increasing waste sorting in schools, the project aims to strengthen the teaching staff’s competence in circular economy and sustainability education.

In 2023, together with food aid organisations and catering service providers, we studied ways to improve the organisation of the food waste cycle, develop the food aid network and inspire new actors to join the network. We have increased our cooperation with the food aid network in Espoo. Our aim is to promote the utilisation of surplus food.

In 2023, we relaunched the eco-support network within the city organisation. The purpose of the network is to integrate the city’s sustainability goals into everyday operations in each unit with the help of trained eco-support staff. The overall sustainability of operations will be developed, and circular economy aspects will be taken into account in network training and situation assessments in units.

In order to raise awareness of the circular economy, we organised several events in Espoo in 2023. The topics discussed at the events varied from waste sorting to plastic recycling, clothes mending, the sharing economy and other topics related to the circular economy. Some of the most popular residents’ events of the year included Circular economy and robots in Kera, which showcased circular economy solutions for everyday life and offered a glimpse into the future of circularity, and the Get a grip on plastic workshop where participants made new objects from recycled plastic. We also encouraged residents to favour sustainable means of transport and cycling by organising ‘repair café’ bicycle repair workshops and express bike maintenance services for around 300 participants.

During the year, we published 39 news releases and articles on circular economy issues. The most read article dealt with the recycling of rigid plastics.

In the summer of 2023, library users in the capital region were asked what new items they would like to borrow from the library. Based on the suggestions, we will expand the range of borrowable items. New items include hand trucks, tool sets, cordless drills, and a box bicycle(external link, opens in a new window). The most borrowed items in Espoo libraries in 2023 were power drills and stud finders.

The amount and recycling rate of household waste(external link, opens in a new window) generated in Espoo were measured in 2022. Household waste generated in Espoo in 2022 amounted to 249 kg per resident. The amount decreased by 17 kg from the previous year. The recycling rate of household waste in Espoo was 48 per cent, remaining unchanged from the previous year. Biowaste sorting has the most room for improvement; according to HSY’s measurements, some 40 per cent of the total amount of mixed waste was biowaste. As a result of the revised Waste Act, Espoo extended biowaste collection to include properties with 1–4 households.

In 2022, emissions generated by consumption in Espoo amounted to 9.07 t CO2e per resident. Consumption-based emissions are on the rise – in the previous calculation in 2020, consumption-based emissions amounted to 8.78 t CO2e. CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) is a joint measure of greenhouse gas emissions used for summing up the impact of different greenhouse gas emissions on the acceleration of the greenhouse effect. Consumption-based emissions, i.e. the carbon footprint of consumption, consist of energy consumption, construction, mobility, food and the purchase of goods and services. Among the capital region cities, Espoo had the highest consumption-based emissions. 

According to a study carried out in the summer of 2023, there are 917 operators and networks offering circular and sharing economy services, products, training or cooperation in Espoo. This number includes operators whose activities are entirely or partly based on the circular economy. Businesses in the field include large and internationally influential corporations with diverse expertise, small local operators, and highly specialised companies. The companies operate in a wide range of sectors, which is a good starting point for a comprehensive circular economy transition. 

By working with partners, we can multiply the benefits of the circular ecocomy. In the spring of 2023, we analysed the social impact of Espoo’s business ecosystems through 79 companies and four different themes. The themes were the circular economy of construction materials, renewable energy, charging infrastructure and services for electric cars, and plastic recycling. The analysis assessed the effects of companies’ products and services on the surrounding world from the perspectives of society, knowledge, health and the environment.

The results showed that the four selected business ecosystems convert limited resources into a wide-ranging positive impact on the world, especially from the perspectives of society and the environment. Health and knowledge-related positive effects were also found. 

According to an assessment completed in the spring of 2023, Espoo has potential for an agroecological symbiosis-type biogas plant that uses agricultural feeds. The feed survey included in the assessment focused on the waste fractions that are not yet covered by biogas processing, i.e. straw, grass and horse manure from local farms. In total, the potential volume of feed would correspond to approximately 7,500 MWh of energy. The biomethane produced could replace approximately EUR 660,000 worth of fossil fuel use. ProAgria Etelä-Suomi will continue the planning of the biogas plant based on the feasibility study.

In 2023, we studied the circulation of construction materials in Espoo through the material flows of concrete and glass. The circular economy of concrete has a lot of potential, as 15–20% of concrete used in Finland is used in Espoo. In 2021, construction in Espoo used 560,000 tonnes of concrete.  The proportion of recycled materials in concrete structures was approximately 28,000 tonnes or 5% of all construction in Espoo. In a concrete structure, recycled material is mostly found in the metal reinforcement bars.

Some 3,000 tonnes of glass were used in the surveyed construction sites. Glass is a highly recyclable material and with better sorting processes, glass recycling could be profitable. Glass material is currently efficiently recycled into foam glass (up to 98% recycled glass) and glass wool (nearly 70% recycled glass).

According to the material flow survey, to make the most of material reuse, we need a variety of reuse operators and a growing market. For concrete elements (pillars, beams, hollow-core slabs), this requires standardising the procedures for the approval and introduction of reusable concrete material. The biggest potential for glass reuse lies in new office glass structures and glass wall solutions. The recycling of construction materials has a lot of room for improvement. The sector also offers many business opportunities. According to our emission calculation, the materials used in infrastructure construction and their processing caused 92 per cent of emissions generated by infrastructure construction and maintenance in Espoo. Cities have the opportunity to lead the way to a more circular economy through land use and other construction policies.