The story of plastic demonstrates the recycling of waste to create new products

Plastics are widely used and play a key role in many operations and the economy. However, plastics also create problems for which there are no easy solutions. The recycling of plastics in line with circular economy enables plastic waste to be converted into useful products, keeping the carbon contained in plastics in circulation and out of the atmosphere for a long time.

The City of Espoo and LAB University of Applied Sciences have jointly launched a project called Muovin tarina – roskasta tuotteeksi (Story of Plastic – From Waste to Product). As the name suggests, the aim is to bring to life and demonstrate the entire cycle from plastic waste to a new product. The project involves Lassila & Tikanoja Oyj (L&T), the Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY), the Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean Foundation and IKEA.

The Story of Plastic project sorts and collects recycled plastic from Espoo schools and other facilities used by young people in a user-friendly way. The collected plastic waste is processed and analysed, and the necessary material and safety testing is carried out at LAB University of Applied Sciences. Prototype products made of recycled plastic are developed and designed, for example, as student collaboration at LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts. Product prototypes or parts thereof are manufactured with a 3D robot printer at LAB University of Applied Sciences. The finished products will be placed for experimental use in the Kera area to be built in Espoo. The entire manufacturing process of the products, from waste to product, will be shown in the Plastic Story online exhibition for consumers and schools. During the project, the Plastic Story ecosystem will be organised to ensure the continuation of cooperation. 

“In this project, Espoo’s circular economy cooperation with businesses and research institutes is realised, the aim of which is to make Espoo a pioneer. In addition, the city wants to bring new circular economy solutions to residents and increase the circular economy awareness of residents in order to strengthen a sustainable lifestyle,” says Pasi Laitala, Director for Sustainable Development in Espoo.

LAB University of Applied Sciences has a long history of plastic expertise, through both teaching and research. “In 2020, a research team was established for the material cycles of textile and plastic. LAB has its own analytical and plastic processing equipment, which enables the production and testing of samples planned in the project to be carried out independently,” adds Ossi Martikka, Project Manager at LAB.

The project has received funding from the Ministry of the Environment’s support programme for the Plastics Roadmap trial and pilot projects, which is part of the implementation of the national Plastics Roadmap https://muovitiekartta.fi/(external link). The total budget of the project is €436,022, and the project period is from 1 January 2021 to 30 September 2022.

City of Espoo
Project Manager Reetta Jänis, reetta.janis@espoo.fi, +358 40 5519484

LAB University of Applied Sciences
Project Manager Ossi Martikka, ossi.martikka@lab.fi, +358 50 5162757