Circular Arctic Sweden (CAS)
A collaborative initiative led by Luleå University of Technology and Region Norrbotten to accelerate circularity in the Arctic.
Recycling center in Älvsbyn Municipality. Photo: Nina Bilal
About the Project
Circular Arctic Sweden (CAS) is a three-year collaboration between Luleå University of Technology, Region Norrbotten, and the municipalities of Norrbotten. The project aims to strengthen circular economy practices across the region by improving waste management, mapping material and energy flows, and identifying new opportunities for resource-efficient solutions.
CAS is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERUF) – Upper Norrland, Region Norrbotten, and Luleå University of Technology. The initiative is anchored in the university's future area Creaternity, which focuses on reducing resource waste through circular material use, digitalisation, and innovative business models.
Why Circular Arctic Sweden?
Norrbotten faces unique conditions: long distances, small and diverse municipalities, and rapidly increasing demands on waste management due to new regulations and changing material flows. Municipal representatives highlight shared challenges such as:
- High costs of incinerating plastic waste.
- Lack of viable end markets for fractions like gypsum, insulation, textiles, and mixed construction materials.
- Limited local capacity for textile recycling after regulatory changes.
- Increasing volumes of sludge without clear circular pathways.
- Behavioural and communication challenges related to household sorting.
- Constraints on municipal roles in competing with private markets, even when circular solutions are beneficial for society.
At the same time, the region demonstrates important strengths—high-quality waste collection, advanced material classification, established biogas infrastructure, and strong interest in cross-municipal collaboration.
CAS responds to these needs by creating a structured, long-term platform for innovation, knowledge exchange, and collaborative problem-solving.
Project Objectives
The CAS project focuses on three interconnected goals:
1. Mapping Material and Energy Flows
Researchers will analyse major regional flows—such as plastics, sludge, construction materials, textiles, and electronic waste—to identify “white spots”, inefficiencies, and opportunities for shared solutions.
2. Understanding Municipal Organisation and Needs
The project will inventory how municipalities currently organise waste and resource management, including operational practices, logistical challenges, technological needs, and regulatory barriers.
3. Developing Tools for Circular Resource Sharing
Municipalities have expressed a strong need for digital tools and methods to enable shared use of material, energy, and personnel resources. CAS will explore solutions that improve coordination, minimize transport, and support new circular business opportunities.
Next Steps
Following the kick-off, CAS will move forward with:
- Detailed material and energy flow mapping.
- Interviews and workshops with all Norrbotten municipalities.
- Development of pilot concepts for new circular systems and digital tools.
- Establishment of a regional reference group and long-term collaboration structures.
The project ultimately aims to deliver actionable models that reduce environmental impact, lower municipal costs, and enable new circular solutions and business opportunities.
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