One of the key topics presented was the concept of a digital marketplace for biowaste and biobased side streams, based on the Finnish KiertoaSuomesta.fi model. Dedicated discussion time was used to gather feedback on the feasibility of localising this type of platform.
Digital marketplace: replication prospects
Discussions highlighted that while a digital platform could be useful for smaller biowaste streams, larger streams are already tied to long-term contracts and effectively utilized. A particularly underexplored biowaste stream is that generated in private second homes, which suggests seasonal fluctuations in biowaste production. While the platform is likely to be used primarily by businesses, public data on available waste streams could help small-scale entrepreneurs identify underutilized resources in specific municipalities and create new business opportunities.
Additionally, participants noted that such a platform could serve as a matchmaking tool to connect producers and users, facilitating collaboration and enabling cost-sharing for transportation. However, previous experience in Estonia with a similar platform (materjalivoog.ee) has showed low adoption, raising concerns about the platform’s long-term viability. A key unresolved issue is governance — there is no clear stakeholder willing to manage the platform, and the state has expressed no interest in taking on this role. Furthermore, the platform alone would not provide a complete overview of biowaste streams at the national level.
However, participants discussed the potential for adapting the platform for more localized use, such as within an industrial park where businesses have established relationships and are more inclined to share data.
Meanwhile, TalTech is preparing a more in-depth study on the digital marketplace’s replication potential, based on several individual and focus group interviews conducted in Estonia. The study will be available in late spring 2025.
Exploring rural-urban symbiosis and waste reform in Estonia
The webinar also discussed the rural-urban symbiosis model from theoretical perspective as well as looked briefly at some real-life examples, such as circular model of insect culture and vertical farming. The Ministry of Climate of Estonia presented the main aims of the waste reform in Estonia. Its focus is on the increase of the use of waste as raw materials and, as a prerequisite, making the sorting of waste easy and financially beneficial for people.
Enlightened Consumer concept in action
Finally, we looked into the “Recycling Master” Online Course, which is the online learning material for target groups with special needs developed in TREASoURcE. The concept incorporates many special features related to visualization, gaming and other ways and methods to make the recycling material more accessible for users who might struggle with the ordinary recycling information. This online course is currently in process of replication by Tartu Loodusmaja.
The webinar included the following presentations:
- Finnish experience on digital marketplace: KiertoaSuomesta.fi (Circular Finland) – Nora Berglund, MTK
- Replication of the digital marketplace in Estonia. Overview of focus group interviews. (Biomajanduse digituru platvormi kohaldamine Eestis. Ülevaade sihtrühmadega tehtud fookusgrupi intervjuudest) – Margit Kull, TalTech (in Estonian)
- Rural-urban symbiosis model – Magdalena Edvardsen, Fredrikstad
- Waste Reform in Estonia (Jäätmereform Eestis) – Katrin Koppel, The Ministry of Climate (in Estonian)
- Introduction to “Recycling Master” Online Course – Kaisa Sibelius, FVH
The webinar recording is now available and can be viewed below. For your convenience, we have created dedicated clips. The presentation slides are also available on our website.
11.3.2025 | Jelizaveta Krenjova (TalTech), jelizaveta.krenjovacepilova@taltech.ee