Lahti: Emmi Valli-Forsback inspires local communities through her Instagram account ‘Second-hand Lahti’, showcasing recycled goods and sustainable design. As she merges social media with environmental initiatives, her efforts align with the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and Lahti’s goals for carbon neutrality by 2025.

Emmi Valli-Forsback, a resident of Lahti, Finland, is making waves in the realm of sustainable living and recycling through her popular Instagram account ‘Second-hand Lahti’. It was during the renovation of a former office space into a home for her family that Emmi recognised the potential value in recycled goods. This discovery prompted her to share her renovation and decoration ideas on social media, garnering significant interest from her followers.

Emmi’s passion for sustainable interior design is clear, as she presents various recycled products and design inspirations on her account. “It’s a great feeling when someone who follows me on social media says they were inspired to go to a flea market,” she expressed, highlighting the positive impact her sharing has on her community. She also aims to inform her audience about local flea markets in Lahti, further promoting the idea of circular consumption.

The act of sharing her discoveries on Instagram has fostered a sense of community among her followers, many of whom share similar interests in recycling and sustainable practices. This aligns with the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan—a key component of the European Green Deal—which seeks to enhance the longevity of products, encourage sustainable consumption, and ensure that resources remain within the EU economy for extended periods.

Despite her enthusiasm for the circular economy, Emmi currently maintains her full-time role as a parking inspector. However, she is contemplating the possibility of opening her own second-hand shop featuring curated quality items, should her followers continue to support her mission. Emmi’s commitment to a circular lifestyle resonates with the City of Lahti’s environmental goals, which include achieving carbon neutrality by 2025. The city has reported success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an impressive 70% compared to 1990 levels, working in tandem with the EU’s overarching strategy for climate neutrality by 2050.

Beyond her social media endeavours, Emmi finds joy in visiting second-hand shops with her children, who have shown little resistance to wearing second-hand clothes or playing with second-hand toys. They have become adept at discovering hidden treasures among the offerings. Emmi values the narratives associated with these items, further enriching the experience of second-hand shopping.

Additionally, in her personal time, Emmi contributes to her community by participating in litter clean-up initiatives. While her children are occupied with swimming lessons or football practice, she dedicates time to clearing rubbish from her surroundings, using barbecue tongs to pick up litter from parks and beaches. She is also a participant in the Puhdas Päijät-Häme movement, which focuses on litter removal efforts in the region.

Through her passions and community-oriented activities, Emmi Valli-Forsback exemplifies a growing trend towards sustainable living, highlighting the potential impact of individual actions on the broader goal of environmental conservation.

Source: Noah Wire Services