Kirkkokallio Ecopark

The Kirkkokallio ecopark, located in Honkajoki, Finland, comprises seven different actors that operate in symbiosis with each other. It is a form of circular economy that is about recycling natural resources and energy, using them in a more sustainable way, as well as reducing the amount of waste. With a seamless cooperation, it is possible to keep the materials circulating.

The companies in Kirkkokallio produce bioenergy together. It is produced from local biodegradable waste at Kirkkokallio and is fully renewable and environmentally friendly fuel that can reduce full-lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil fuels. Gasum feeds the biogas it produces into the Vatajankoski power plant, where the gas is transformed into electricity, steam and heat. Wind power is also used in the area to produce electricity. The produced electricity, steam, and heat are distributed from Vatajankoski power plant to the other companies in the area.

At the factory of Honkajoki Ltd, meat industry by-products, i.e. slaughterhouse waste, are processed into sterile protein nutrients, bone meal, fertilisers, animal feed, and fat. Landeli Group manufactures meat products for consumers. Honkajoki’s condensation heat is used to heat the facilities where KKK-Vihannes and Honkatarhat grow lettuce, herbs, and cucumbers. The wastewater produced by Landeli Group’s plant is processed at Honkajoki Ltd’s wastewater treatment plant, and its biowaste is taken to Gasum Oy to close the circle.

Circular economy is about recycling natural resources and using them in a more sustainable way, as well as reducing the amount of waste. In circular economy, one company’s waste is another’s treasure. In fact, ‘waste’ is a wrong word to be used, because the goal is not to produce any waste. There are ways to reuse nearly every type of raw material, as long as there is the will and enthusiasm to look for them.