Waste intoValueWorkshopExploresCircularEconomySolutions andCollaboration

As part of the SustainaCycle project, Sustainability InnoCenter organised the Waste to Value Workshop on 4 June in Eskilstuna, Sweden. The event was held at ReTuna Återbruksgalleria, the world’s first recycling mall, providing an inspiring setting that embodies the principles of the circular economy and sustainable consumption.

The workshop brought together ca 50 circular economy experts, project partners, municipal representatives, businesses, and sustainability practitioners from across the Central Baltic region and beyond. Participants exchanged knowledge, shared experiences, and explored innovative approaches to transforming waste into valuable resources. The event fostered collaboration and dialogue on practical solutions that support resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the transition towards a more circular and sustainable economy.

The workshop opened with presentations by Laurina Šinkejeva, Project Coordinator (Viimsi Municipality), who introduced the SustainaCycle project objectives and planned activities, and Harris Stamatopoulos,Director of Sustainability InnoCenter, who shared insights into innovation, stakeholder engagement, and therole of cross-sector cooperation in advancing sustainability.

Among the speakers at the event were Simon Glimtoft, ReTuna Återbruksgalleria; Imran Hasan, MG Sustainable Engineering, Anne-Charlotte Boldrup and Anna Bergman, “Waste into Value” Interreg Central Baltic Programme project, Nabila Noor, Lovable, and others.

Participants discussed how waste can be transformed into valuable resources and explored practicalapproaches to improving recycling systems, increasing material recovery, and strengthening circular economybusiness models. The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration between municipalities,companies, researchers, and civil society organisations.

Through discussions and experience sharing, participants exchanged examples of successful initiatives andidentified opportunities for future cooperation. The workshop provided a valuable platform for learning fromdifferent regional experiences and building new partnerships across borders.

The event supports the goals of the SustainaCycle project, which aims to improve the collection, recycling, andreuse of plastic, textile, and electronic waste while promoting circular economy solutions in Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Sweden.