Tallinn opens second circular economy centre

Circular materials are used in the interior architecture, including terrazzo concrete floors, carpets with recycled textile content, clay brick, and special furniture made of recycled wood panel material. When choosing materials, solutions that allow for later recycling of products and materials and reducing resource use have been preferred.

Environmental education is an important part of the centre. Classrooms and displays teach the principles of the circular economy, and the rooms are suitable for seminars, training, and study days. 

Miroslav Berezovski, the mayor of Lasnamäe district, added: “The establishment of a modern circular economy centre in Lasnamäe is an important step towards bringing environmentally friendly solutions closer to our residents and making their use in everyday life simple and natural. At the centre, you can not only responsibly dispose of waste, but also acquire knowledge and skills for smarter resource reuse.”

The circular park surrounding the centre has been transformed from a former illegal waste disposal site into a public and nature-friendly recreation area. The circular economy is visible on the trail through benches, fences, and small forms made from materials found on site or left over from construction. The landscaping has been designed with minimal intervention, preserving the characteristic features of the landscape and supporting the biodiversity of the area. The circular park is open to everyone and is suitable for walking, relaxing, and gaining environmental inspiration.

The centre is easily accessible by car, public transport and bicycle. There is also a bicycle repair shop open 24 hours a day. The centre can also be visited as part of excursions and study tours.

“Visit rates to Tallinn’s waste stations are growing year by year, and the repair workshops have also proven to be very popular among the city’s residents,” said Rein Kalle, head of the Tallinn Circular Economy Centre. “We have put our best knowledge and a lot of dedication into this centre, so that every visitor feels welcome, cared for and comfortable here.”

The architects of the Lasnamäe Circular Economy Centre are Urmo Mets, Dora Mate-Stryker and Paulina Parv from the Kolm Koma architectural firm and it was designed by RTG Projektibüroo AS, the landscape architecture division of Lootusprojekt OÜ.