Signal Finland's circular material use rate has stayed near four per cent for a decade

Summary

This signal highlights a gap between Finland's early leadership on the circular economy and its actual results. Finland published the world's first national circular economy roadmap ten years ago. Yet its circular material use rate has stayed at around four per cent for the past decade, compared with an EU average of about 12 per cent. Sitra suggests both rates could be doubled within the next ten years. Modelling indicates Finland could move to a carbon-neutral circular economy without using more natural resources or weakening the economy, while boosting biodiversity and cutting emissions. The country already has many circular businesses and services, but much remains to be done across product life cycles.