The circular economy teaching of Riihimäki schools has been selected for the finals of the Municipalities' best circular economy actions competition

The circular economy teaching in Riihimäki's schools has been named one of the finalists in the Municipalities' best circular economy initiatives competition, which is a competition rewarding the innovative circular economy initiatives of the Finnish Environmental Center, the Association of Municipalities and Sitra. The competition seeks the best measures that promote the sustainable use of natural resources and regional well-being. In total, there are 20 impressive circular economy acts as finalists, from which the best circular economy acts in Finland will be selected. The winners will be announced at the Municipal Market on 14.9.22.

Circular economy has been included in the curriculum of Riihimäki schools in 2019. Since then, all schools have had a teacher responsible for circular economy, who promotes resource-wise thinking on a practical level.

Circular economy is everyday in Riihimäki schools

In Riihimäki schools, the circular economy is closely involved in everyday life. The teaching highlights the sustainable use and consumption of natural resources. Efforts are made to find the right owners for found goods and food waste is tackled with various campaigns. The use of recycled materials is also commonplace in many subjects. In addition, responsibility can be seen in purchases, and for example, at Lasitehtaa school, school supplies are not ordered until the stocks have been reviewed.

During the circular economy week in May, an audit was carried out in all Riihimäkä schools, in which circular economy actions were evaluated using a jointly prepared checklist.

"Together we evaluated, for example, student participation, avoiding unnecessary consumption, the sustainability of purchases, the fulfillment of sorting and the utilization of the local nature," says Lasitehtaa school principal Maija Kojo.

Good and concrete suggestions for improvement were received from children and young people, such as moving the foundry box lower. The students also hoped to focus on a couple of jointly chosen circular economy themes more systematically during a certain school year. A similar search for development proposals and highlighting successes is planned to continue every year.

Read more about circular economy education in Riihimäki schools Loikka service.

You can get to know all the finalists of the circular economy competition here.