Citizen-oriented circular economy solutions in South Karelia

Citizen-oriented circular economy solutions in South Karelia -project aims to develop citizen-centric and user-centric circular economy services using service design methods in South Karelia. This brings services closer to citizens and users. The project results three circular economy enhancing practices co-developed with residents and companies:



1) Bio waste collection boosting method

Bio waste collection in households and from regions will be enhanced through communication and practical service design experiments. Unit will be implemented in collaboration with residential community of Lauritsala in the city of Lappeenranta. Additionally, opportunities for a possible circular economy experiment will be investigated with a rural municipality in South Karelia.



2) 2–4 circular or sharing economy based solutions

Based on the needs of citizen communities, 1-2 unities will be chosen in both regions for developing and experimenting citizen-driven sustainability-oriented services. These services can be based for example on sharing or lending or services that otherwise increase energy-efficiency or sense of community. Unit will be implemented in Lauritsala and Skinnarila districts of Lappeenranta, and the opportunities for development are investigated in one rural municipality of South Karelia. Members of rural municipalities are invited in workshops.



3) Mapping service based on circular economy related consumer services.

Circular economy consumer service providers will be identified in the region of city of Lappeenranta, and accessibility of services will be improved with digital mapping service.



The co-developed practices take into account social, ecological and economic sustainability and resilience. The project produces information about circular economy business models based on the implemented experiments as well.