Case Helsinki, Fredrikstad & Tartu | Online Training Across Three Cities

Author: Kaisa Sibelius, Forum Virium Helsinki

Strengthening our recycling efforts is more than just a local goal; it is a global necessity since only 17% of municipal solid waste and 42% of plastic packaging waste is recycled in the EU and 19–23 million tonnes of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems globally each year.

This transition cannot happen through policy and industrial changes alone—it requires active participation from every household. By making informed choices and sorting waste correctly, individuals act as the essential link that returns valuable materials back into the economy, reducing the need for virgin raw materials and significantly lowering our environmental footprint. Every item recycled is a step towards a more resilient and sustainable future.

Read more about the Helsinki use case:

Co-Creating a More Inclusive Circular Economy with Local Online Courses

The story of the recycling online courses is based on a project goal to utilise both citizen engagement and possibilities available with digitalisation. The purpose of the enlightened consumers concept (EliCo) development was to enhance circular economy thinking and practices of consumers in their everyday life. It aimed to educate consumers in different areas of circularity, especially in plastics, batteries and biowaste reduction and smart recycling.

However, while information about recycling is widely available, it is not always accessible to everyone. To bridge this gap, the EU-funded TREASoURcE project has taken a collaborative approach to make recycling education simple, fun, and inclusive together with Forum Virium Helsinki, City of Fredrikstad and City of Tartu. 

Power in Partnership: Co-Creating for Impact

The online courses were not built in isolation. They are the result of co-creation with people of the target groups ensuring that the learning materials are truly accessible and practical. By working together with local partners and target groups in Finland, Norway, and Estonia, we have developed three distinct training models that address specific community needs.

Three Countries, Three Use Cases

Our collaborative efforts resulted in three tailored versions of the Recycling Master course:

Norway: Supporting Newcomers

In Fredrikstad, the course was co-created for newcomers to the country. It focuses on practical household skills, such as how to properly recycle biowaste. The impact of Matavfallskurs has been significant: hundreds of participants have already completed the course as part of Fredrikstad’s official integration program.

Estonia: Engaging Schoolchildren

In Tartu, the focus shifted to the next generation. Working with local educators, they developed Jäätmekursus materials to teach schoolchildren the fundamentals of the circular economy. These resources are now being used by teachers across the entire country to inspire young environmental stewards conducted by Tartu Environmental Education Centre.

Finland: Empowering Adults with Special Needs

In Helsinki, the Kierrätysmestari course was designed for adults who need support with everyday life skills, specifically those in rehabilitative training programs. The Finnish version also includes short sessions adapted for elementary schools. Dozens of participants have already used these materials to gain confidence in their recycling abilities.

Scaling Inclusive Solutions Together

The success of these three use cases proves that when we collaborate across borders and with diverse groups, we can create tools that work for everyone. 

We have learned that to create a simple and inclusive recycling guidance, three things matter. 

• Identify a real need which has not yet fulfilled. 
• Find a committed partner to take the ownership of the results when the project is over. 
• Co-create with your end users to make sure the content really works. 

By making circular economy education inclusive, we aren’t just teaching people how to sort waste—we are building a better, more sustainable Europe together. All three course versions are now available for free, ready to be replicated and scaled.