The winners. © Katja Lepistö
In May 2019, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), and Sitra challenged all municipalities in Finland to compete for the title of Circular economy municipality of the year. The City of Jyväskylä was announced as the winner at the Kuntamarkkinat municipal fair on 11 September. The City of Lappeenranta and the City of Oulu received honourable mentions. A total of ten municipalities participated in the competition.
“It is great that so many different municipalities participated. The applications prove that municipalities are already carrying out quite versatile circular economy work. The competition will allow the spreading of information about these good examples to others, as well”, says Head of Unit Tuuli Myllymaa from SYKE.
Jyväskylä is committed to circular economy on the long term
Jyväskylä has proven strong, long-term commitment to circular economy and the sustainable use of resources. Numerous experiments have been carried out, many of which have remained in permanent use, and several used in other municipalities as well, such as the successful waste lunch experiment. The biogas ecosystem developed by Jyväskylä is a good example of the systematic work by the City towards a car fleet using less fossil-based fuels and a self-sufficient production of biogas.
Jyväskylä is also carrying out exceptionally extensive and effective cooperation. Together with universities and universities of applied sciences, the City has carried out research experiments and created teaching contents which support circular economy. Businesses have had the opportunity of utilising the new Kangas residential area as a test platform for smart solutions. These actions have increased the well-being of the residents through increasing communality and creating possibilities for people to meet. The residents are also activated through events, competitions, and campaigns.
“We are happy and positively surprised about this acknowledgement! The resource-smart Jyväskylä is committed to carbon-neutrality by 2030 and being waste-free by 2040. This acknowledgement encourages us to work even harder towards our ambitious objectives”, say Research and Development Manager Pirkko Melville and Environmental Director Päivi Pietarinen from the City of Jyväskylä.
Further information
- Head of Unit Tuuli Myllymaa, Finnish Environment Institute, firstname.lastname@ymparisto.fi