In 2021, the circular material use rate was only 15.1% in Estonia. The circular material use rate is an indicator that shows the share of recovered material in the overall material use. This means that 84.9% of the material fed into the economy as an input is extracted raw material. To limit the pollution of our planet and slow climate change, it is necessary to start applying the principles of the circular economy throughout the current economic system.
The tasks of the state in the transition to a circular economy are creating favourable conditions for the implementation of circular economy principles and removing obstacles. Environmentally sustainable production and consumption must be based on common principles. Therefore, it is important to agree on both the goals we want to achieve by promoting the circular economy as well as the principles of the circular economy, since following them ensures that economic activity supports the conservation of the environment. For this purpose, a Circular economy white paper (in Estonian) was prepared, which brings together the agreed vision resulting from discussions between the ministries and stakeholders, the basic principles of the circular economy and the development directions, which will form the basis for future activities. The document supports different parties to make the circular economy a comprehensive framework in planning, consumption, production, politics, lifestyle, culture and values. The white paper is followed by the circular economy action plan, in which the activities and metrics of various sectors are specified.
To ensure that the efforts made by different members of society separately and together can be harmonious and ensure that the circular economy functions efficiently in Estonia, it is important to have a common vision.
There are six directions of development agreed upon in circular economy in Estonia
Priority directions of development:
Strategic choices:
I Resources are used responsibly and based on demand, resource use is well planned and waste generation is minimised.
- Favouring and promoting the use of environmentally friendly products and services.
- Implementing green public procurement (including circular procurement).
- Encouraging the sharing economy.
- Ensuring safe material circulation.
- Using the best possible approach.
II The business models of Estonian companies are sustainable and oriented to circular economy.
- Increasing the interoperability of supply chains.
- Involving science in the creation of circular economy solutions.
- Encouraging partnerships between companies and companies and research institutions.
- Promoting cooperation between companies and the state.
III Necessary know-how, experts and effective cooperation between different fields and sectors for the implementation of the circular economy are in Estonia.
- Ensuring the succession of experts and the necessary know-how.
- Ensuring the possibility of using skilled labour, including foreign labour.
- Encouraging collaboration between sectors, including participation in international cooperation networks.
IV Functional digital IT solutions to support the circular economy have been created and high-quality data to monitor the situation has been ensured.
- Implementing sharing and collaboration platforms.
- Ensuring the possibility of using skilled labour, including foreign labour.
- Implementing innovative digital solutions, including those using artificial intelligence.
V The circular economy is well coordinated at the national level and a legal and economic environment supporting the circular economy has been created.
- Modernising the legal landscape.
- Clearly defining the roles, functions and responsibilities of different parties.
- Establishing the principles of collecting the information necessary for organising and monitoring the circular economy and creating a standard.
- Creating digital platforms for collecting, analysing and exchanging information.
- Legislating green public procurement.
VI An environmentally aware attitude and environmentally sustainable behaviour are established.
- Increasing the environmental awareness of all parties.
- Guiding market participants, including consumer behaviour.
- Implementing the use of environmental management measures.