Tallinn begins work on second circular economy centre

Work has begun on the Lasnamäe Circular Economy Centre in Tallinn. The centre will offer residents in the Estonian capital the opportunity to conveniently dispose of waste, repair items, and reuse them.

The centre supports the city’s targeted move towards efficient waste management, which values ​​the sustainable use of resources and the reduction of waste generation. It will open in 2026 and will mark the second centre of its kind in the city. Last year, it has announced the opening of the Lilleküla circular economy centre, marking the city’s shift from traditional waste management to a circular economy.

Environmentally conscious living

The establishment of the centre supports the city’s broader goal of creating a more environmentally conscious living environment and offering residents a convenient opportunity to change their daily habits. At the same time, it is an important addition to the Lasnamäe urban space with the centre bringing new community services to the area and diversifying the public space.

The aim of mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski is for Tallinn to become a city where environmentally friendly choices are a natural part of everyday life. “Circular economy centres mark an important step in this direction – they help make waste management, repair and reuse easy and accessible for people,” he said. “The Lasnamäe circular economy centre is not just a waste station, but a community-oriented service that enriches the area and supports the city’s green transition.”     

Deputy mayor Margot Roose added: “The centre will bring together the local community, innovative companies and will also be of interest to foreign delegations, creating a unique cooperation platform that will support the sustainable development of the region more broadly.”

“The Lasnamäe circular economy centre is not just a waste station, but a community-oriented service that enriches the area and supports the city’s green transition” 

The architect of the Lasnamäe Circular Economy Centre is Urmo Mets from the Kolm Koma architectural firm and it was designed by RTG Projektibüroo AS. The building’s façade will be built from reusable wood and recycled materials will be used in the interior. For example, the shelves will be made from recycled wood and the lighting will be designed from old tyres. A small solar power plant will be built on the roof and the building will be covered with a grass roof, which will help reduce the heat island effect.

Rainwater will be used in the toilet flush boxes and for watering the greenery around the building. A smart control system will automatically adjust the lighting and energy consumption according to the use of the rooms.