How can we make life in the city more circular? In the Circ@Home project, the Tallinn Circular Economy Center is helping figure that out. Based in Estonia’s capital, the organization works with local households, mapping out reuse and repair services, and showing how small changes can lead to a big shift.

Can you tell us a bit about the Tallinn Circular Economy Center and what kind of work you do in Estonia?

Tallinn Circular Economy Center is a city-run organisation that manages waste stations and builds modern circularity centers—places where people can bring items to be reused, repaired, or recycled. We aim to make sustainable living simple and part of everyday life in the capital of Estonia.

What motivated your organization to join the Circ@Home project?

We joined the Circ@Home project to upgrade and adjust the reuse and repair services we currently provide and, in parallel, support households in becoming more circular. As the City of Tallinn finalises its Circular Economy Development Plan, the project offers timely opportunities for practical piloting of key actions through international cooperation and strong community engagement.

You are supporting the development of the pilot in Tallinn—what does that look like on the ground, and what is your role in it?

We already have a functioning circularity center in one district of Tallinn, with textile and upholstery makerspaces, and reuse rooms. Through the pilot, we are now enhancing this hub by involving more local stakeholders and adding new elements—such as a food pantry for circular food consumption. Our role is to lead this co-creation process, shape the service model, and ensure it reflects the real needs of the neighbourhood.

Can you explain what the “local circularity triangle” is and how you are involved in it?

The “local circularity triangle” brings together the city, households, and service providers. Our role is to connect these groups from the local authority level, helping a selected neighbourhood to adopt circular practices and become inspiring examples of circular living.

When it comes to circularity in services, what kinds of actions or changes are you hoping to encourage?

Our goal is to strengthen the reuse and repair culture by expanding makerspaces and reuse spaces in Tallinn. This project helps us engage with local people, gather feedback, tailor our services, and make circular options more accessible and appealing in everyday life.

Changing everyday consumption habits can be challenging—how are you approaching that in this project?

Changing habits can feel like taking the red pill in ”The Matrix“—a bold step into something new and unknown. Real change happens when we involve people, listen to their everyday realities, and respect their values and routines.

What kind of long-term impact do you hope this project will have in Tallinn?

We hope the project helps make circular living a natural part of daily life in Tallinn. By testing and scaling circularity hubs—and learning from other project partners—we aim to inspire long-term behaviour change, strengthen community ties, and create a model other districts and cities can follow.

What are you looking forward to the most in the next part of the project?

We’re most excited to improve the existing circularity hub in our selected district. We’ve already introduced the project to local community leaders and will be part of their annual neighbourhood festival in August—like the friendly neighbour who brings useful tools and fresh ideas to share.