The circular economy is a rapidly materializing part of regional vitality policy and business activities. This trend was clearly visible and audible on Tuesday, April 21, when the first circular economy fair in North Savo brought together a group of industry experts and those interested in the topic at the Original Sokos Hotel Puijonsarvi to hear speeches and thoughts on the circular economy from regional actors.
One of the highlights of the day was the announcement of the name of the new recycling shopping center being built in Matkus. The building, henceforth known as Matkus Luuppi, represents the transition of the circular economy from talk to practice. Announcement of the name of the new recycling shopping center built in Matkus. The building, henceforth known as Matkus Luuppi, represents the transition of the circular economy from talk to practice.
- In the service center being built in Matkus, recycling, reuse, and repair are brought into everyday service locations. At the same time, the threshold for making sustainable choices in consumers' daily lives is lowered. The new center supports sustainable business that is based on preserving the value of materials, says Harri Auvinen, head of the bio- and circular economy ecosystem of North Savo. .
One of the key messages at the fair was the rapid growth of the repair-related business. This is influenced by both changes in consumer behavior and tightening legislation, which guides products towards a longer lifespan and repairability. This creates pressure to increase training in the repair sector so that the growing demand can be met in real-time.
The circular economy is also a strategic competitive factor
The corporate presentations at the event showed that the circular economy is also a strategic competitive factor. Although strengthening it in their own operations often requires companies to build new operational models and to be able to operate amid uncertainty, at the same time, if successful, it also offers opportunities for growth.
– The fair was a great demonstration that the value of the circular economy and future opportunities are recognized regionally and that investment is made in cooperation, writes the CEO of Elävä Kauppa Oy Satu Takkinen in her LinkedIn post published on Tuesday.
This same way of thinking is also reinforced by at the end of the day, a panel discussion was held, which highlighted the importance of ecosystem thinking. Auvinen, who moderated the panel discussion, encourages the establishment and nurturing of networks based on the collaboration of multiple actors, as they enable agile experiments, knowledge sharing, and the development of solutions that meet local needs. The initiative to promote this is also aimed at supporting the growth of companies from Northern Savo Bio and Circular Cluster – North Savo, to which the majority of the organizers of the circular economy fairs also belong.
– The discussion emphasized that sustainable and profitable circular economy business requires bold actions, as well as active cooperation between different actors, also Takkinen remarks in his writing.
The next circular economy fair at Matkus Luuppi
Could Kuopio then even become the capital of the circular economy, was asked at the fair. Why not? The planning of the next circular economy fair for the soon-to-open Luuppi is a strong signal that there is a willingness in the region to advance circular economy activities together. Multidisciplinary cooperation aiming at the same goal is what will determine the direction of future development.
Text: Maiju Korhonen
Photographs: Mikko Vidgren