Welcome to Finland! As you embark on the adventure of exploring our vibrant summer cities and stunning natural landscapes, you’ll discover a pristine environment waiting to be enjoyed. To help you settle in and appreciate our commitment to keeping Finland beautiful, here’s a quick guide on the Finnish way of caring for our surroundings.
In the City: The Bin
As you wander through the streets of Helsinki, Tampere, or any of our charming towns, there’s a simple rule to remember: always dispose of trash in the bin. You’ll find waste bins conveniently placed on street corners, near bus stops, and in parks. Maintaining clean pavements is a shared pride among us, and we truly appreciate when our guests join in this effort to keep our streets sparkling.
For smokers, dedicated bins for cigarette butts are available to prevent fire hazards. Unfortunately, cigarette butts are still a common sight on our streets, and we’re eager to clean them up. Just this past spring, a puppy in Finland tragically lost its life to nicotine poisoning after ingesting a discarded cigarette butt before its owner could intervene.
Bonus Tip: The Magic of Bottle Returns! In Finland, nearly all beverage containers come with a deposit. Instead of tossing them, take them to a ‘return machine’ at any grocery store. Just remember to ensure the bottles and cans are intact and not crushed! The machines need clear barcodes and shapes to process your refund. Not only will you earn a bit of cash, but you’ll also help keep our environment clean.
In the Wild: Pack It In, Pack It Out
The expanse of Finland’s national parks and forests offers a serene escape, yet many of our hiking trails and rest areas lack trash bins. This is a deliberate choice to minimize the environmental impact and noise of garbage trucks in these sensitive areas.
The Golden Rule of Finnish Hiking: Whatever you bring into nature, be sure to take it back with you.
Pro-Tip: The Spare Bag Method. Always carry an extra bag—like a used bread bag or a small reusable dry bag—in your backpack. This is the simplest and cleanest way to store any wrappers, fruit peels, or used napkins until you can dispose of them properly. And yes, even fruit peels are considered litter, and shouldn’t be left behind in the wild. Imagine how you would feel if everyone discarded their banana or mandarin peels across a beautiful landscape!
Also, that extra bag could come in handy if you stumble upon a patch of wild blueberries or mushrooms!
Common Courtesy
- Don’t Burn Trash: Use fireplaces only for wood or clean paper. Burning plastic and cans releases toxins and creates a mess—let’s keep our air and fire pits clean!
- Leave No Trace: If you’re far from a dry toilet, bury your waste or pack out your toilet paper in your trash bag. This ensures the trails remain pleasant for the next visitor.
- Be a Hero: If you see litter left behind by others, please pick it up. A small act of kindness for nature will make you a true local hero in our eyes!
Travel Like a Local: Pro-Tips for Less Waste
The most effective way to manage waste is to prevent it from being created in the first place. Here are some tips to help you travel like an experienced Finnish hiker:
- Reconsider Single-Use: Instead of purchasing juice boxes with plastic straws, opt for a durable, refillable water bottle. Finland boasts some of the cleanest tap water globally.
- Choose Less Packaging: If you plan to shop for snacks before your wilderness adventure, pay attention to the amount of packaging. The fewer wrappers a product has, the less waste you’ll generate during your hike.
- If you live in Finland and are looking for tips to enhance your hiking experience, try packing your snacks into reusable containers. This way, you’ll generate minimal waste on your journey. Leave all plastic and single-use wrappers in your recycling bin at home. Once your hike is over, simply wash your reusable containers for their next outing. It’s both eco-friendly and convenient!
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