This article investigates Estonia's success, and what other countries can learn from it. 

Tallinn took the lead in 2012, boosting biowaste collection, decreasing landfilling and banning single-use tableware at public events. Its Circular Economy Development Plan 2035 aims for the circular economy sector to reduce the city’s carbon emissions by 40% compared to 2007 and increase the city’s share of recycled materials to over 65%.

The country as a whole followed suit - the 2022 “Estonia 2035” strategy set a 30% national circular material use rate target by 2035. Other tiers of government play their part: the national government advised local authorities to focus on reaching out to the public on how and why individuals can get involved in circular initiatives.

The country's circular transition is based on waste prevention and management, along with recovery and recycling. For instance, the government has been investing in a digital biomanufacturing platform that can turn food and wood industry waste into useful fats, and EU funds are scaling up waste businesses. Agri-food waste is also important, and the Circular Bioeconomy Roadmap includes measures such as increasing R&D and changing value chains and business models with a view to lowering dependence on imported resources.

In 2025, the Baltic nation was ranked 3rd in Sensoneo’s global waste management classification. Given that it was 32nd in 2022, its rapid progress is clear – as is the fact that other countries can learn from it!