Bodø is 7% circular (2020)

• Input circularity 7% 5%
• Output circularity 27% 27%
• Processed materials 359,106 tonnes/year 323,212 tonnes/year
• End of Life (EoL) waste 93,489 tonnes/year 54,803 tonnes/year
• Secondary materials 24,857 tonnes/year 14,667 tonnes/year

Bodø has a population of 52,803 people, which are spread over an area of 1,396 km2. Currently, its local economy is mainly based on "Health & Social Work activities" (26.2%), "Wholesale and retail trade" (12.8%), and "Education" (10.13%) in terms of employees.

It was possible to illustrate that Bodø is a linear and carbon-rich city (90% linear), processing yearly approximately 360 kt of materials, adding 211 kt in the building stock and reinjecting just 20 kt of secondary materials in their economy. From these numbers, the magnitude of the efforts becomes visible. In addition, the "weight" of Bodø can be illustrated through its building stock which amounts to 4,500 kt (or 86 tonnes per capita), which requires continuous flows for both its operation and construction.

Given the land use of Bodø and its local activities, this provides a considerable opportunity to develop a circular bioeconomy. For instance, a significant share of GHG emissions associated with food consumption of Bodø could be reduced by covering animal proteins with local production of food (especially proteins coming from fish). Fish waste could be used for fertilisers or for creating new products. In addition, a part of this biomass (wood) could be used for energetic use reducing the demand of imports and partly GHG emissions. In addition, given the demand for new construction materials needed for the future urban development, local hubs for storing materials for reuse from the construction sector could significantly reduce the use of virgin materials as well as reduce construction and demolition waste generation. Finally, local materials (rammed earth, biomass insulation, timber, etc.) could be used to drastically reduce the amount of concrete (which is carbon intensive) for future urban developments. In addition, the production of local and low carbon construction materials, could develop new jobs and attract the development of new production activities.