“The Circular economy refers to a production and consumption model where existing materials and products are used as much as possible by borrowing, renting, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling. This extends the lifespan of products,” states the European Parliament. The circular economy is a significant tool in combating climate change. However, it is not a new phenomenon but a proven model that we have forgotten at some point in history. As autumn begins and nature prepares for winter rest, we had the honor of interviewing Ville Heinilä, Environmental Manager of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Reuse Center.
The Reuse Center reports on its sustainability actions according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework. Additionally, the Reuse Center uses the Ekokompassi environmental management system. The strategic goal is to mainstream reuse, develop sustainability education, incorporate reuse into companies’ and communities’ sustainability efforts, and function as a training organisation.
Could you tell us about the Reuse Center, its history, and the idea behind its operations?
The Reuse Center has been working in the circular economy since 1990. The Reuse Center’s top priority is maximising the circulation of goods, thus maximising environmental savings. As part of its operations, the Reuse Center accepts donations of goods and gives them new life through its second-hand stores. Founded through civic organization efforts, the Reuse Center quickly attracted municipal participation, recognizing the potential for synergy.
With a strong commitment to social responsibility, it operates in the intermediate labor market, offering job opportunities to individuals facing employment challenges and supporting their integration into the workforce. Each year, the center provides work for over 1,000 people.
Have you noticed any trends in your operations that you would like to highlight?
It’s positive that the circular economy and sustainability have become more widely recognized. The circular economy has emerged as a trend, seeking solutions to environmental and economic challenges. A negative trend is the declining quality of products caused by fast fashion. Reuse becomes more difficult if products arrive in poor condition. The cornerstone of the circular economy is strong lifecycle thinking, based on the “cradle-to-grave” principle, which aims to assess the impacts of products from production to disposal.
The Reuse Center has been a pioneer in the circular economy for years. What advice does the Reuse Center have for incorporating the circular economy into daily life?
The circular economy starts at the purchasing stage. By buying products of sufficient quality, a long lifespan can be ensured. If everyone bought high-quality items and used them to the end, there would be no need for a Reuse Center. However, needs and situations change, and this is where the Reuse Center serves as a link in extending product lifecycles and improving material efficiency.
How can the Reuse Center assist companies with their circular economy efforts?
The Reuse Center offers many services to businesses. We provide various organisations with expert services such as environmental consulting, training, and carbon footprint calculations. Recently, our Circular Economy Calculation service, developed by the Reuse Center, has become particularly popular. This service highlights the environmental savings generated from reuse, giving companies tools to measure environmental benefits and ensure they are doing the right things and developing their operations in the right direction. Environmental work is not just about minimising negative impacts, but also about finding ways to create positive ones.
The goods services for companies are implemented in collaboration, aiming to benefit both parties. The Reuse Center collects goods from companies, and some goods even flow back to companies for resale. For example, in collaboration with the S Group, collection points have been made easily accessible to consumers. By integrating collection points into everyday shopping, environmental savings are created, particularly in logistics.
Why is the EKOenergy environmental label part of the Reuse Center’s toolkit?
From an environmental management perspective, managing the environmental impacts of purchases is challenging. Certifications and environmental labels are invaluable in procurement management. EKOenergy is a reliable environmental label that helps with this work.
The Guarantee of Origin system for energy markets has enabled the procurement of renewable energy for all locations, transferring energy management into our hands. With EKOenergy, we can procure energy with additional environmental criteria and enable further climate actions in low- and middle-income countries through the EKOenergy Climate Fund.
Do you actively choose EKOenergy whenever renewing an electricity contract, or do energy providers automatically offer it to you?
You need to know how to demand for EKOenergy. Energy sellers typically lead with price, and only afterward do they start considering other values. When we mention that our energy must carry the EKOenergy ecolabel from the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, some sellers are left speechless.
In what situations would you recommend companies procure electricity with the EKOenergy environmental label?
I don’t see a situation where EKOenergy couldn’t be recommended. Climate-neutral or fossil-free energy is already a basic product on the market, and most energy meets these criteria. The additional cost for EKOenergy is marginal, and it helps procure sustainable renewable energy. It also simplifies communication to consumers and stakeholders.
How can we ensure that the circular economy continues to grow stronger in the future?
Developing circular economy skills starts in childhood. The Reuse Center contributes to this work through the environmental school path. The environmental school path reaches tens of thousands of children and educators each year. The goal is to increase environmental awareness, achieved through school visits, educational materials, and providing information to those working with children. Sustainable development is one of the topics in the curriculum, and through this, we want to offer practical tools for achieving learning objectives.
When you need a reliable partner for the circular economy, contact the Reuse Center. When you want your energy to be as environmentally friendly as possible, demand EKOenergy. Not everything needs to be built alone, and through collaboration, we achieve more.
Published on 25th September 2024
