How could reuse become the new normal? – Reuse Professional Days in Kuopio envision the future of reuse

Will consumers' changing attitudes towards ownership affect the store's revenue logistics?

How do digitalization, data and artificial intelligence accelerate reuse?

Could repair services grow with tax incentives?

How does the new second-hand goods shopping center Matkus Luuppi work?

At the Reuse Professional Days Together we will seek answers to questions that shape the future of reuse. The days will be held on 3–4 November 2026 in Kuopio.

Reuse is the preferred optiono

The days emphasize that the reuse sector grows through cooperation between actors.

The RENET Recycling Network is producing the Professional Days this year in collaboration with the Living Foundation and the Finnish Recycling Centers Association.

The purpose of the RENET-Reuse Network and the cooperation of operators is to make reuse a primary option for both companies and consumers. This requires a high-quality, innovative and responsible market network.

The seminar recognizes that digitalization has already changed the industry, but the strengths of reuse operators will remain and be further emphasized in the change.

Industry players know how to recognize quality, master manual skills and product restoration, and also understand the importance of creativity and encounters.

Getting to know the actors on the project market

The Reuse Professional Days will start on Tuesday, November 3rd at the new secondhand shopping center.

Matkus Luuppi is Finland's first second-hand goods shopping center, which combines a sorting station managed by Jätekukko and a circular economy and community center maintained by the Elävä Foundation.

The days will start for the public at the Matkus Luupi open project market, where visitors will get to know Savo's environmental, climate and circular economy actors as well as ongoing projects.

Concepts for reuse operating models in the ICELife project

Registered participants will continue with the professional days seminar program, which includes a guided tour of Matkus Luuppi's operations.

Participants will also hear About the ICELife project, a project funded by the EU LIFE programme, in which Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Elävä Foundation, Jätekukko and the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Recycling Centre develop and conceptualise reuse operating models.

The first day culminates in a secondhand Christmas party. The dress code is solutions that extend the life cycle of clothes.

Over 51,000 people supported reducing the value added for repairs

On Wednesday, November 4, the Recycling Professionals' Day will feature a seminar day with the theme "The new normal of recycling: technology and manual skills."

Participants will receive up-to-date information on funding opportunities in the industry and hear how artificial intelligence has succeeded in helping with textile sorting in Belgium.

Director of the Finnish Specialty Trade Association ETU Tanja Lintumäki provides an overview of what the specialty store business will look like in 2036.

Citizens' initiative to reduce VAT in the repair sector made by a master cobbler Ville Hasala talks about his experiences of working as a shoemaker and financial controls. The citizens' initiative collected almost 52,000 signatures.

Panel discussion on producer responsibility for textiles

The textile producer responsibility system being built in Finland will be discussed in a panel moderated by a leading expert from the Finnish Textile and Fashion Association Emilia Gadd.

Participants will also receive information about recent greenwashing legislation and how it affects the reuse industry.

The seminar day will be hosted by a climate expert and Kuopio city councilor Sarah Karkulahti.

You can still register as an exhibitor for the Reuse Professionals' Day.

Text: Uusiuutisten editorial team

Photo: Matkus. A second-hand goods shopping center, Matkus Luuppi, has been built in Matkus, Kuopio. It also serves as the opening day of the Reuse Professional Days in November.