What is most important to residents in terms of the sustainability of housing? This is what we asked the residents of Lumo Homes in our sustainability survey conducted in the summer.

With a share of 56 per cent, the most important sustainability theme was comprehensive waste sorting opportunities, both at home and the waste collection point. The emphasis on waste sorting was not surprising as the topic has also been ranked at the top in the previous resident surveys. Lumo Homes has set a goal of increasing its waste recycling rate from 40% (2021) to 55% by the end of 2023. Residents play a key role in achieving this goal.

“At the end of 2022, we will launch a waste recycling project. We’re aware that there are some challenges both in homes and at waste collection points. We will focus particularly on improving communications by, for example, increasing guidance at waste collection points”, says Niina Turri, Manager, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Lumo Homes.

She also thinks that one of the respondents to the survey suggested an interesting idea. Lumo homes can currently be equipped with a dishwasher for a monthly fee. Perhaps a similar concept could also be applied to sorting, for example, by offering partners’ products to make sorting waste at home easier?

The topic ranked second most important in the sustainability survey was the indoor air conditions at home: temperature and ventilation.

Since the survey was conducted, energy saving has become a central topic throughout society. In Lumo homes, the company takes care of property electricity and heating, but residents have their own electricity contracts. Niina Turri says that Lumo Homes is currently working on a campaign aimed at helping residents reduce their electricity consumption. It will include practical energy saving tips for everyday living.

Residents also highlighted the safety, energy efficiency and low emission level of housing among the most important sustainability factors. Location close to good public transport connections and services was also considered important as it not only makes everyday life easier for residents, but also reduces emissions from transport.

The sustainability survey also asked for the respondents’ own suggestions for more sustainable living. Almost 70 per cent of the respondents considered Lumo Homes to be either a responsible or a very responsible operator. Even so, the comments were full of ideas for improvement, which was a great source of joy for the authors of the survey. It was exactly what was needed!

“I’m happy with and a little surprised by the abundance of requests. The list included urban meadows, more energy-efficient household appliances, clothing recycling, birdhouses, communal sewing machines and drills, window cleaning services and renovation assistance. We will review the suggestions and see which of them we can implement”, Turri promises.

Many of the suggestions were related to mobility.

“The shared car service is already available to all Lumo residents. And we have one shared boat, too.” Turri says.

The sustainability survey is also the starting point for a new community. The active interest of residents is encouraging Lumo Homes to expand communications into a continuous dialogue to develop the sustainability aspects of Lumo homes. The new forum is scheduled to be tested out in the autumn, Turri says.

“The idea is that those of our residents who are interested in sustainability issues would form an online community which we could ask about sustainability-related matters. We’re also hoping to organise online panels and various information sessions,” says Turri.