Circular economy steps in Lahti, Finland
Policy situation
The implementation of Lahti's circular economy roadmap is underway and progressing well. City owned companies are obliged to choose actions from the CE roadmap related to their operations. In 2025, companies implement the actions that they have chosen from the CE roadmap and report about them. The reporting tool will be developed in spring 2025. In addition, the roadmap theme Public Procurement is in focus during 2024-2025.
Mapping of circular bioeconomy flows in Lahti
The City of Lahti organized a workshop in August 2024, inviting representatives from the city's group companies. The aim of the workshop was to create a common understanding of how bio-based materials circulate within the city group.
Each group company presented the incoming and outgoing flows of bio-materials in the workshop. Based on these, a comprehensive picture of the city's circular bioeconomy was formed.
The workshop discussed the current state of the circular bioeconomy and identified challenges. The main development areas selected were the reduction of food waste and coordination of land masses, for which further actions were planned.
Circular economy included in Lahti's environmental education program
Lahti is currently preparing the environmental education program for basic education in Lahti for grades 1-9. The program plans to include a circular economy learning module for all 4th graders, which includes a visit to the local Kujala processing center. The aim of the learning module is to nurture young natural circular economy experts.
With the environmental education program, Lahti is also developing school facilities related to the circular economy. The goal is to ensure that the everyday practices and facilities of every school support bioeconomy and other circular economy initiatives.
Lahti prepares commitment to the Circular Economy Green Deal
The City of Lahti is preparing a commitment related to the national Circular Economy Green Deal. This commitment will strengthen the implementation of the CE roadmap. The aim of the commitment is to promote the circular economy especially in city planning, public procurement and construction projects.
The City of Lahti organized a joint workshop in December, which included 8 participants from different city units. During the workshop participants discussed possible actions for city commitment. The most important, effective and additional measures to promote circularity were identified as well as indicators and responsible parties were named. These actions will be presented and modified in city management team meetings next year. The goal is to finalize the Green Deal commitment during the spring.