The SERkut Electrical and Electronic Equipment Scrap in Circulation with New Operating Models was a project that promoted the recycling of machinery and equipment materials originating from municipal organisations.
Objective
The SERkut project aimed to improve the recycling process for machinery and equipment materials, primarily WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), from municipal organisations. The goal was to ensure the growing material flow enables new product and service innovations. Furthermore, the project sought to activate and strengthen cooperation among different organisations in the field, thereby complementing the industry’s ecosystem.
The increasing amount of recyclable e-waste challenges us to innovate new uses for materials, which can produce significant benefits at local, regional, and national levels. The project’s objective was to determine what happens to WEEE during the recycling process.
During the SERkut project, the focus was on the quantity of materials and stock, material flows, collaboration, and the anticipation and planning of repairs and schedules. The project supported the Uusimaa smart specialisation strategy, which emphasises innovation-based sustainable growth through the wise use of resources, and the regional program, which highlights Uusimaa’s role as a pioneer in circular economy innovations.
Duration, Partners, Funding, and Budget
- Project Duration: February 1, 2024 to February 28, 2026
- Partners: Forum Virium Helsinki and Laurea University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with the City of Helsinki.
- Funding: The SERkut project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Forum Virium Helsinki’s share of the total project budget was €300,053.00.
Forum Virium Helsinki’s Role
Forum Virium Helsinki was a project implementer in collaboration with Laurea University of Applied Sciences and the City of Helsinki. Forum Virium Helsinki coordinated the project’s cooperation, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration between different parties.
In addition, Forum Virium worked with the City of Helsinki experts to build a more effective recycling process, focusing on WEEE and the materials generated from it. It also researched new sales and reuse channels for WEEE, expanding the vision beyond current channels.
Forum Virium Helsinki, together with stakeholder organisations, designed and piloted a digital purchasing pool that serves as a platform for brokering materials. The Helsinki model and development work will serve as a case example for other cities. The project emphasised close cooperation with research, development, and innovation actors and the business sector to cover the entire value chain and support regional vitality.
During the project, a total of 16 seminars, webinars, and workshops was organised.
Benefits for Helsinki
During the project, Forum Virium Helsinki worked in close cooperation with the City of Helsinki’s Social Services and Health Care Division, specifically with Family and Social Services. It also actively involved in discussions with Uusix workshops and experts from units such as the city’s IT management to develop the process, digital solutions, and platform operations. Based on this cooperation, experiments, and lessons learned, the City of Helsinki will simultaneously develop and expand its own internal guidelines for material collection and internal logistics.
The SERkut project developed a process for the circulation of machinery and equipment materials, which was tested in collaboration with City of Helsinki units and at the Uusix workshops within the Social Services and Health Care Division. The goal was to create a tested model—the “Helsinki case”—that can be shared with other cities and societal actors.
Improving recycling and reuse opens doors to significant energy savings and emissions reductions. The processing of WEEE presents a unique opportunity for the reuse and further processing of valuable materials, which supports the key goals of the circular economy.
Sustainability
The SERkut project offered an opportunity to find innovative solutions for recycling WEEE. At the same time, it promoted environmental well-being and reduced the carbon footprint.
- Ecological Sustainability: One of the positive impacts of the SERkut project is the sustainability of natural resource use, as equipment currently in circulation can be better recycled, and we can more efficiently utilise components and materials.
- Economic Sustainability: The reuse of materials and waste, for example, as spare parts and new innovation solutions, promotes business opportunities.
- Social and Cultural Sustainability and Equality: The SERkut project increased the environmental and circular economy expertise of businesses and cities. The environmental expertise gained during the project supports responsible actions in the everyday lives of citizens and promotes sustainable development.