City of Turku

11/21/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/21/2023 06:55

Students from Turku travelled to Japan to learn about circular economy

The idea of the circular economy course was to get students to work in interdisciplinary groups on circular economy challenges. Circular economy solutions are key to achieving, for example, urban climate objectives. The course builds on previous cooperation between the City of Turku and Japanese cities.

During the course, students innovated circular economy solutions to real challenges provided by the Lounais-Suomen jätehuolto (LSJH), Korjauspartnerit Oy and the Linnanniemi area of the City of Turku.

- Solving the major challenges of our time, such as climate change and nature loss, requires extensive cooperation between different sectors. The students in the team that developed the best solution on the course were all from different educational backgrounds," says Iris Kriikkula from the City of Turku's climate team, who designed the course.

Miia Jylhä from Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto pointed out how cooperation between companies and educational institutions creates good conditions for new innovations:

- Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto is actively engaged in research and development work with universities, because we want to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Making the change requires new ways of working and professionals with a solution-oriented attitude," says Jylhä.

The team that developed the best circular economy solution was rewarded with a week-long study trip to Japan, during which they visited the Suginam district of Tokyo, Nagano city and Obuse town. The trip took place in October 2023 and in the cities they were introduced to various circular economy projects, including recycling, reuse and resource conservation. The students also presented their winning idea to Japanese university students, with whom discussions continued on circular economy and sustainable development issues and opportunities for cooperation.

- What made the trip worthwhile were the great encounters with new acquaintances, the exchange of ideas and the interesting discussions. I also learned to broaden my understanding of what climate work is like in the Japanese context. I understood how important it is to involve society as a whole," says Mikael Pesonen, a political science student at Åbo Akademi University who took part in the trip.

Laura Häkkinen, a student of Creative Design Management at Turku University of Applied Sciences, also felt that she gained new perspectives on sustainability issues.

- It was great to visit the centre, where citizens and children were able to practise using various equipment and machines in case of natural disasters such as typhoons. It also reminded me of how Japan values its roots, art and culture. For example, they are very keen to repair and protect old things," says Häkkinen.

Ines Söderström, who is studying for a Master's degree at the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Turku, was impressed by the Japanese people's progressive approach to adapting to climate change.

- We were able to see an underground rainwater storage facility under construction to help control flooding in Tokyo. Tokyo has had to build large underground networks because of the increased flooding caused by climate change," says Söderström.

Background information:

The circular economy innovation course for university students in Turku was developed and implemented by the City of Turku in cooperation with the University of Turku, Turku University of Applied Sciences and Åbo Akademi. The course's links with Japan are based on previous cooperation between the City of Turku and Japanese cities. The aim is to develop the course concept and cooperation for the coming years and to strengthen circular economy thinking and innovation between Finland and Japan. The trip to Japan was funded by the Japanese Sasakawa Foundation and the City of Turku together with ICLEI Japan, a network of sustainable cities.

The City of Turku aims to be carbon neutral by 2029 and climate positive from then on. Circular economy solutions are an integral part of the city's climate work.

Contact: Iris Kriikkula, iris.kriikkula(at)turku.fi