Final conference “From Waste to Wisdom: Baltic Quest for Plastic Reduction”

Join us in Turku, Finland, on 10–11 December 2025 for the BALTIPLAST Final Conference—an inspiring gathering for everyone committed to reducing plastic pollution and accelerating the circular economy.

This event is more than a conference—it’s a call to action. Over two days, you’ll connect with local and regional leaders, practitioners, researchers, and NGOs to:

• Keynotes & Expert Insights: Learn about Turku’s climate goals, the circular economy roadmap, and the latest research on plastic pollution in the Baltic Sea region, including contributions from HELCOM and the Alfred Wegener Institute.
• Project Results & Municipal Solutions: Discover findings from the BALTIPLAST project and related initiatives, with a focus on strategies and tools ready for municipal uptake, and microplastic research presented by STEAM Turku students.
• Panel Discussions: Engage with experts from cities across the region in discussions on results, lessons learned, and practical applications—including representatives from Helsinki, Tallinn, Västerås, Valmiera, and Daugavpils.
• Interactive Sessions: Participate in community engagement snapshots, a Finnish language moment, and table talks designed to foster new partnerships and knowledge exchange.
• Innovation Exchange: Explore solutions and best practices from other projects.
• Networking & Social Events: Enjoy coffee breaks, networking lunches, and a special cocktail celebration at Turku Castle.
• Multi-Level Impact: Join panel discussions on the impact of plastic reduction efforts in schools, households, and businesses, featuring experts from the Baltic Environmental Forum, Stockholm Environment Institute, and more.
• Platform for Change: Get hands-on with digital platforms and capacity-building tools to strengthen your organization’s ability to tackle plastic pollution.
• Site Visits & Cultural Activities: On  Day 2, choose one unforgettable experience—take a guided cultural/historical tour around Kakola hill with prison stories, relax in a traditional sauna and swim in the Baltic Sea, explore a water reuse system in the Ruissalo Botanical Garden, or challenge yourself in the “Escape the Plastic Crisis!” escape room.

Who should attend?  The conference is primarily aimed at local public authorities and service providers, but also welcomes NGOs and businesses interested in practical solutions and capacity building for plastic waste reduction.

Language? The language of the event is English.

Participating in the event is free of charge for the participants. Participants must cover their own travel, accommodation, and other expenses.

Programme documents for the general public:

• Programme of the conference (might be subject to changes).
• Registration to the conference (deadline: 17 November 2025)
• Hotel Quota (Accommodation at the same hotel as the conference venue)
• Practicalities

Be part of the Baltic quest for plastic reduction—register now and help shape a more sustainable future!

Contact

BALTIPLAST project partner and local host (Union of the Baltic Cities, Sustainable Cities Commission) Rosa Puusaari, rosa.puusaari@turku.fi

BALTIPLAST communication manager at lead partner (Hamburg University of Applied Sciences) Andrea Dobri, andrea.dobri@haw-hamburg.de