IGPN - International Green Purchasing Network

April 21, 2025

Helsinki puts sustainable public procurement into practice

In ICLEI Member Helsinki (Finland), the Soittaja kindergarten, the tram line to Pasila and the Olympic stadium have little in common at first sight. However, the city has used sustainable public procurement methods in the construction and/or transformation in all these sites, making them more environmentally friendly, circular and adaptable. During the Big Buyers Working Together (BBWT) annual event, organised by ICLEI Europe, public buyers gathering in Helsinki will have the opportunity to visit and learn more about them!
The Soittaja day-care centre is the first Nordic Swan ecolabelled building built by the City of Helsinki. The kindergarten was completed in 2024 and has space for 244 children. Buildings with a Nordic Swan ecolabel pay attention to the well-being of both the environment and the users of the premises. For example, in addition to energy efficiency, the origin of building materials and recycling solutions, the impact of materials on indoor air quality is also taken into account. During the study visit, participants will learn about the construction phase of the project and the application process for the eco-label.
The design and construction of the tramline from Kalatama to Patina was specifically focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation, the promotion of biodiversity and circular economy solution. The visit will also include a stop at the Closing Loops warehouse, built using only recycled materials. The building is one of the few concrete examples of circular economy construction in a permanent setting in the world.
In 1952 Helsinki hosted the Summer Olympic Games. Its Olympic stadium has been recently renovated with a special focus on the environment and circular economy. The visit will focus in particular on procurement of both new turf materials and ways to process old turfs when they reach their end of life. As part of the PlastLIFE project, funded by the EU Life programme, and coordinated by the Finnish Environment Institute, the City of Helsinki has been conducting a pilot to procure circular solutions for end-of-life turfs.
Learn more at ICLEI Europe website.

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