Turku pilots CCC-aligned procurement across cleaning services, workwear and heritage restoration

Within the CCC-2 project, the City of Turku is piloting how circular, climate-friendly and chemical-smart (CCC) principles can be embedded into very different types of public procurement – from large-scale service contracts to highly specialised restoration work. Together, the three pilot cases demonstrate how procurement can be used as a strategic tool to reduce harmful substances, cut emissions and support circular economy objectives in both everyday operations and unique city assets.

Turku’s pilots are closely aligned with the city’s strategic goal of becoming climate neutral by 2029. Procurement is explicitly recognised in city strategies as a key lever for steering markets towards more sustainable solutions, supporting energy efficiency, circular economy practices and the reduction of hazardous substances.

Case 1: Cleaning services – reducing chemicals, emissions and resource use at scale

The first procurement case covers maintenance cleaning, basic cleaning and window washing services across a wide range of municipal facilities, including offices, schools and kindergartens. The contract is substantial, with an estimated value of around 30 million euros and a planned contract period from 2027 to 2030, with possible extensions.

While ensuring smooth and reliable cleaning services remains the primary objective, the procurement places strong emphasis on CCC criteria. At least 85% of detergents used in the service are required to be ecolabelled, with the share expected to increase to 90% two years after the start of the contract. The tender is also supported by a list of prohibited substances to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. In addition, service providers must have an environmental management system in place, such as ISO 14001, and ensure that staff are trained to minimise the use of water and detergents. The procurement also explores the possibility of awarding additional quality points for innovative “chemical-free” cleaning methods, such as ultra-clean water technologies.

Climate and energy aspects are integrated through the use of energy-efficient cleaning equipment, as well as through procurement design that minimises transport distances between cleaning sites. Circularity is supported through limits on detergent use per square metre and careful planning of cleaning areas to reduce unnecessary logistics.

The city has invested heavily in market dialogue for this procurement, including joint market research together with the city of Helsinki, dedicated local market events in Turku and one-to-one meetings with a total of 9 supplier companies held. These dialogues ensure that CCC criteria are realistic, ambitious and well understood by the market.

Case 2: Workwear and protective clothing – safer materials and circular solutions

The second pilot focuses on a joint procurement of high-visibility protective workwear, other workwear and safety footwear.

Key CCC objectives include reducing harmful substances in textiles, increasing the share of ecolabelled products, promoting the use of recycled materials and improving recyclability at end-of-life. Climate considerations are addressed through requirements related to energy-efficient production and low-emission logistics.

Building on lessons from previous procurements, Turku plans to move from awarding quality points for ecolabels towards setting minimum requirements for a defined share of ecolabelled products, complemented by criteria on chemicals, logistics and circular material use. Market dialogue with suppliers is conducted in cooperation with Helsinki and through local discussions, ensuring alignment with current market capabilities.

Case 3: Furniture restoration at Turku Castle – circularity through preservation and reuse

The third procurement case demonstrates circular economy principles in a very different context: the restoration of chairs and tables designed by Carin Bryggman in the 1950s for the cellar of Turku Castle. The furniture is protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency, making preservation and careful material choices essential.

This smaller scale procurement aims to restore as many original furniture pieces as possible and to reuse existing materials to the greatest extent. New furniture will only be produced where necessary, using certified wood and carefully selected chemicals. Additional CCC criteria cover low-emission logistics and responsible material sourcing.

Although smaller in scale, this procurement highlights how circularity can be applied even in specialised and culturally sensitive contexts, extending product lifetimes and avoiding unnecessary use of virgin materials.

From large service contracts to specialised pilots

Across all three cases, Turku applies a consistent CCC approach: ambitious criteria based on recognised sources such as Motiva’s criteria bank, structured market dialogue, and a clear link between strategic goals and practical procurement decisions. Through CCC-2, these pilots will provide valuable insights into how cities can reduce environmental impacts through both everyday procurement and unique, high-value projects – and how CCC principles can be adapted to very different procurement contexts.

Contact details:

Hedy Meinander, Project Coordinator, ChemCilmCircle-2

hedy.meinander@turku.fi

City of Turku

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